Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 11 May 1966

Vol. 222 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Canned Meat Exports.

1.

Mr. P. Hogan

(South Tipperary) asked the Taoiseach the value of canned meat exports for 1965.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach (Mr. Carty)

The Official Export list does not contain separate headings for canned meat. However, with your permission, Sir, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement showing the available information on exports of meat in airtight containers (including cans) in 1965.

Following is the statement:

DOMESTIC Exports of certain commodities in 1965.

Commodity	Quantity	Value
	cwt.	£
Meat, dehydrated or dried, in airtight containers.	252	26,662
Other prepared or preserved meat, in airtight containers:
Beef, only:
Stewed steak	81,260	1,540,955
Other products	922	36,504
Ham, cooked:
In plastic type vacuumised containers.	135	3,090
In other airtight containers	54	1,770
Spam	22,304	465,999
Corned beef and cereal	424	5,850
Tongues and livers	891	22,045
Other	6,075	226,916
Total	112,317	2,329,791

Mr. Corish

Could the Parliamentary Secretary say whether or not he estimates an increase next year?

An Ceann Comhairle

That seems to be a separate matter.

Mr. Carty

I was asked for the information for 1965.

Mr. Corish

For this year?

Mr. Carty

The official list is not available.

Mr. Corish

Could the Parliamentary Secretary say what the figures were in the past two years?

The Taoiseach

If the Deputy puts down a question, he will get the information.

Mr. Corish

Thanks very much.

Mr. Dillon

Perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary——

Mr. Corish

Not alone have you no money but you have not got any civil answers.

An Ceann Comhairle

Order.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. Dillon

——could give an elaboration on the subtle distinction between tinned meat——

An Ceann Comhairle

Will Deputies allow Deputy Dillon to ask a question?

Mr. Dillon

——between tinned meat and meat contained in airtight containers?

Mr. Carty

In the information, airtight containers are segregated from meat in cans. Why, I do not know.

Mr. Dillon

The Parliamentary Secretary does not know? That is a fair reply. Nobody else knows either.

Mr. Clinton

Could the Parliamentary Secretary give us the total figure for 1965?

Mr. Carty

In value or quantity?

Mr. Clinton

In quantity and value.

Mr. Carty

A total of 112,317 cwts to the value of £2,329,791.