asked the Minister for Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to reports of high-price buying of meat by Continental buyers in the Dublin market, which will result in a further rise of four-pence to sixpence a pound for meat sold to Irish consumers, so that the price of some cuts of meat will have risen by two shillings per pound in the past year; and what action, if any, the Government intend to take to prevent the already high prices of meat from rising still further, and to protect the average Irish consumer from being priced out of the market.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meat Prices.
8.
In the past couple of months there has been a keen export demand for cattle and beef as a result of which prices generally have increased. In contrast with the present welcome buoyancy of demand, the export market a year ago was very depressed. I have no intention of curtailing exports in response to the present good demand.
Whilst nobody takes exception to the windfall for those engaged in the selling of cattle, surely the Minister for Agriculture must be concerned about the price the Irish housewife has to pay for meat at the present time?
He may be concerned, but it is not his function to deal with it.
Does the Minister for Finance mean the Minister for Agriculture would have no function?
No, he would not.
The Minister for Industry and Commerce would be concerned.
I presume so.