asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the date on which he authorised the recent increase in the price of butter to wholesalers by Bord Bainne; and the date he authorised the increase in the retail price of butter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Butter Price.
13.
The recent increase in the price of butter was authorised on 7th March, 1975. The new ex-creamery price became effective from 10th March, 1975 and the increased retail price applied from 12th March, 1975. The increase arose from the EEC agreement on the prices of agricultural products which involved an increase in the intervention price of butter.
May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to read the answer more slowly because it is very difficult to hear him.
I am sorry. Shall I repeat it?
No.
Did the Parliamentary Secretary say the price was authorised by Bord Bainne on 7th March? Is that correct?
Yes. The new excreamery prices became effective on 10th March.
On what date was the price of butter in the case of wholesalers authorised?
As far as I can gather, there is no specific approved price for wholesalers. The requirements in relation to wholesalers is that they maintain their cash margins at a particular level and, so long as they comply with that requirement, they are allowed to pass on the price. There is a fixed retail price.
Are An Bord Bainne involved in this?
Yes.
The dates are very interesting. This was held up for three weeks while the by-elections were on.
And the withdrawal of the slaughter subsidy was the day after the by-elections.
The Parliamentary Secretary has not codded me. As I said, this was held up for three weeks. The public were not allowed to know the facts. It is a ridiculous situation.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary avail of the same facilities and grants from the EEC which are being availed of in the other part of this country for the purpose of reducing the price of butter by 13 pence per 1b?
That is a separate matter.
It is a separate question.
It is a six marker.
Having regard to the unjustifiable situation obtaining at the moment in the illegal traffic in butter on the Border, would the Parliamentary Secretary undertake to subsidise butter to the consumer in this part of the country in the way that sugar is subsidised by the EEC?
The Deputy is now raising a different matter.
It would not be for me to give any such subsidy.
I thought the Parliamentary Secretary was newly promoted.