asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he intends to control the price of turkeys and hams sold to the public over the Christmas period.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Turkeys and Hams.
45.
Prices paid to primary producers for turkeys are specifically excluded from the Prices Acts. I have no power, therefore, to control turkey prices at the producer level and I do not intend to introduce control at any later level.
With regard to hams, I agreed in December of last year that bacon curers might vary their prices for bacon, including cooked ham or gammons, in accordance with variations in the price of pigs to them. I review the situation periodically and I have no reason to believe that any further control is necessary.
Surely the Minister is aware that at producer level prices are usually reasonable and that it is at the retail level the big profit is put on, and will he examine that aspect of the matter?
The Deputy will be aware that the retail prices charged for turkeys depend on a number of factors. It is a seasonal business, subject to the control of supply and demand, and it would not be feasible in fact to control the retail prices of turkeys.
Does the Minister agree that the retailer is the biggest factor in the price level?
I do not think I could agree with that.