asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has received representations from the Pigs and Bacon Commission to have the Standing Orders system of bacon exports instituted for this country; if so, if he will state the nature of his reply; and what action he proposes to take.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bacon Exports.
86.
I recently received a recommendation from the Pigs and Bacon Commission that what is known as the "Rise Clause" should be accepted in respect of exports of Irish bacon to Britain sold there by the import agents against Standing Orders. Having ascertained the views of the Commission on the financial and other implications of the recommendation, I have agreed to accept it subject to certain conditions including utilisation of the system of Standing Orders to strengthen as far as possible the price position of Irish bacon in Britain and a direct part being assumed by the Commission in the arrangements for the export of bacon against Standing Order Contracts in pursuance of the aim of centralisation of bacon exports to Britain by the reorganised Commission.
Could the Minister say does that represent an alteration in his original position as communicated to the Commission?
It does, yes.
Well, reform, even at the eleventh hour, is very welcome.
If you read again the Report of the Commission of 1958, their conclusion and recommendation was that no departure should be made at that time from the practice that had been in operation here for many years. I can tell you that as far as I am concerned, I was very doubtful and somewhat reluctant to make it for reasons into which I cannot go now.
Is not the Minister aware that there has been a change in grading practice since that report was published?
Practices are always changing.
Exactly, and we ought to change with them.
And we will when we are satisfied.
Tempora mutantur nos et mutamur in illis.
Changes will be made when——
When we make them. That is the only time you ever make them.
When the Danes have wiped our eye.
Yours was wiped so often by the public that it should be clean by now.
This is nothing to laugh at. The Danes wiped our eye and the Minister fell asleep.
The Minister.
We are getting very disorderly, Sir.