asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will take steps similar to those of the British Minister for Agriculture who secured the co-operation of retail associations in calling for a reduction in retail meat prices to correspond with the present lower auction and wholesale price in livestock.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Retail Meat Prices.
148.
Mr. O'Leary
I expect the fullest co-operation of all concerned in the reduction of retail prices of meat to correspond with any reductions in prices of livestock. As I have already indicated in reply to earlier questions on this subject my information is that retail prices do in general correspond with movements in prices for livestock.
I should like to know where the Minister is buying his meat.
All I can tell the Deputy is the results of the checks which were made, to which I referred earlier, and also of some checks which were made since.
Is the Minister not aware that the price of livestock has been increasing for a number of years and the price of meat went up with every increase in that price, but when the price of livestock went down, there was no similar reduction in the price of meat, except in certain cuts, a token reduction which was publicised. Surely the Minister can find that out for himself if he goes into a butcher's shop?
This is not the information which has come to me as a result of the inquiries which have been made. The Deputy will be aware that just about a year ago the Prices Advisory Body examined this whole matter and came generally to the conclusion that I have mentioned, that the prices had altered, in general, in conformity with the alteration in the prices of livestock and that there is no undue margin of profit involved in this trade.
The Minister, I am sure, will agree there is a big difference between the price of livestock 12 months ago and the price now, and that there is very little difference in the price of meat?
Since that, there has been an inquiry, and since that again, there has been what we might call an unofficial inquiry on the part of my Department which verifies what I have said.
They must be extraordinary men.