asked the Taoiseach the total domestic consumption of new type margarine in 1968 and the estimated consumption in 1969.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Margarine Consumption.
2.
The information required by the Deputy in respect of a particular type of margarine is not available. Estimated domestic consumption—total supply less amount used in further production—of all types of margarine was 218,000 cwt. in 1968. The corresponding figure for 1969 is not yet available, but for the period January-September, 1969, the total supply—home production plus imports less exports—of 197,000 cwt. was 20,000 cwt. higher than in the comparable period of the previous year.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary received any representations from dairying interests in this country on the increased consumption of margarine?
I have not. I am not aware whether or not the Department of Agriculture have received them.
The agricultural community are gravely disturbed because of the importation and sale of margarine in this country. Would the Parliamentary Secretary be prepared to consider the subsidisation of butter and its sale in this country at the same price as we are selling it to the English people so that the poor of our country, those in receipt of home assistance, disability and other allowances, will be able to have butter? In view of the fact that a statement was made at one time by the Parliamentary Secretary's leaders in Fianna Fáil that they would not ever increase the price of the necessities of life, does he not think that this step should be taken without delay? Is it the position that Fianna Fáil would prefer to sell Irish butter to John Bull at 2/6d a pound and continue to charge the Irish poor 5/6d a pound for it, a price which they cannot afford, thus depriving them of the chance to eat Irish butter in their own country?
Order.