asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he can explain the unsatisfactory price of lambs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Lambs.
42.
While fat lamb prices are at present marginally below the 1965 level due primarily to the British seamen's strike, the prices during April and May were appreciably higher than the 1965 levels.
Does the Minister feel that any situation in which prices are lower than the 1965 level, considering the increase in costs, is something that can be passed over satisfactorily? What market can he get us? Does he visualise that the Free Trade Area Agreement will help?
I want to point out a few things we have done to develop the sheep industry. First, through the operation of the forthcoming Free Trade Area Agreement, we will abolish the ¾d differential per lb. which existed up to now; we have reduced the waiting period from three to two months; we have extended to carcase lamb from this country the British guaranteed payments system for all lamb exported to the United Kingdom; we have introduced for the first time ever a lamb and we subsidy scheme. All these measures have been introduced by me in an endeavour for the first time to do something for the sheep farmers.
That does not explain the present price of lambs which in fact is not only marginally down, as the Minister says, but very seriously down on last year's figure.
The price of lambs per cwt. live weight was 202/9d. during the week ended 15th June compared with 203/3d. during the same week last year.
Is the Minister aware that the farmers are getting £1 per lamb less?
I have not the slightest worry whether Deputy Donegan accepts this or not. I am telling him facts.
The Minister may be giving me the facts of certain prices but I am telling the Minister the farmers are getting £1 per lamb less.
This is more of the lying Fine Gael rumours.
(Interruptions.)
On a point of order, Sir——
Is it true you have established a rumour factory to villify Fianna Fáil Ministers.
On a point of order, Sir, the Minister has described a statement by me as "lying Fine Gael rumours."
They have engaged in a calculated campaign of rumour to destroy us by false rumours.
And the Fianna Fáil Ministers were guilty of contributory negligence.
(Interruptions.)
My point of order is that I heard the Minister describe a statement by me as "lying Fine Gael rumours." I think the word "lie" is unparliamentary, Sir?
The word "lie" in an unqualified statement in respect of a Deputy is not orderly. There was a reference here to "lying rumours." A Deputy cannot be held responsible for a rumour.
The Minister described the statement as "lying Fine Gael rumours." My statement was a definitive statement that the farmers are getting £1 per lamb less. That definitive statement has been described as a lie.
No, it has not. This is quite different altogether.
Is the Minister aware that ten years ago we got the same price for our store lambs, maybe even for fat lambs, as we are getting today?
Where were you ten years ago?
Where were you?
(Interruptions.)