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Dáil Éireann - Volume 274 - 16 July, 1974 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Trade. Mr. Crinion Mr. Crinion 4. Mr. Crinion asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he considers that there is a danger of an over-supply of cattle to meat factories in the State arising from the fact that cattle may be imported from Northern Ireland to secure the benefit of intervention prices. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries (Mr. M.P. Murphy) Michael Pat Murphy Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries (Mr. M.P. Murphy): I have no information to suggest that the number of cattle imported here from Northern Ireland in present circumstances has increased due to the reason mentioned or any other. Factories here are able to get all the cattle they require locally. Mr. Crinion Mr. Crinion Mr. Crinion: Is there a danger of the type of situation I have outlined occurring in the autumn? Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: Such a situation is not likely to arise. Mr. Crinion Mr. Crinion Mr. Crinion: Why? Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: Taking one year with another, imports of cattle from Northern Ireland average about 100,000 per year. In the period from January to May this year, customs figures show that a total of 38,459 cattle were imported into this part of the country from Northern Ireland as compared with 37,000 in the same period last year, so that the figure is an average one. Mr. Crinion Mr. Crinion 1145 [1145] Mr. Crinion: Is it not likely that the operation of an intervention here will mean higher prices for cattle in this part of the country than in Northern Ireland where there is no intervention in operation? Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: No. Mr. Crinion Mr. Crinion Mr. Crinion: Can the Parliamentary Secretary say—— An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: I have already allowed the Deputy three or four supplementaries on this question. We shall have one short supplementary from Deputy Callanan. Mr. Callanan Mr. Callanan Mr. Callanan: Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Minister admitted here that the factories were not inclined to take brucellosis reactors because of over-supply? An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: Question No. 5. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: Since the Parliamentary Secretary refuses to reply to Deputy Callanan's question, may I ask if it is not the position that the reason why the factories are employed fully at present is that there is nowhere else in which live beef cattle will be bought? An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: Is the Deputy making a statement or asking a question? Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: Is it not the position that cattle coming from Northern Ireland are competing with Twenty-six County cattle for intervention space? An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy is furnishing information rather than seeking it. Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins: Is it not well that we are getting information from somewhere? An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: Next question, please. Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins: The Parliamentary Secretary should answer the question he was asked. Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: I have answered all the questions I was asked. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons 1146 [1146] Mr. J. Gibbons: The Parliamentary Secretary has not answered the question put to him by Deputy Callanan and myself because he is not able to do so. (Interruptions.) An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: I am calling the next question. Mr. Meaney Mr. Meaney 5. Mr. Meaney asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if his Department will issue a guideline for cattle prices at all weights and classes in line with the current or intervention price of fat cattle. Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: The prescribed intervention categories of Irish cattle and the relevant prices for beef therefrom offered by factories to the Irish Intervention Agency have already been published. I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate a statement of the particulars with the Official Report. Following is the statement:—
Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons 1147 Mr. J. Gibbons: Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the intervention and guide prices he has referred to and which are published are not being obtained on the Irish market? Nothing like the colour of the price he referred to is obtainable on the Irish market. The average [1147] price we got last week was about £14 per cwt. but the intervention price is £18. What is the Parliamentary Secretary talking about? Does the Parliamentary Secretary know what is going on? Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: I am not so aware, but as the Deputy knows some cattle do not qualify for intervention prices. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: I am talking about average prices. Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: The average price—— An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: Question No. 6. Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins: The Chair does not have to worry about the Parliamentary Secretary because he is not that bad. The Parliamentary Secretary should be given a chance to answer. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: Is the Chair protecting the Parliamentary Secretary? Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald: The Chair should realise that the Parliamentary Secretary is able to look after himself. Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins: The Parliamentary Secretary wants to answer the question put to him. An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: Order. Deputy Callanan for a supplementary. Mr. Callanan Mr. Callanan Mr. Callanan: Does the Parliamentary Secretary agree that it is because the intervention price is not being passed on to the farmer that cattle will not be taken from any other source only from intervention in the factory? Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: On an average yes, according to my information. Mr. Crinion Mr. Crinion Mr. Crinion: Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the price he is circulating is the worst price in Europe for cattle? Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: I do not think so. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons 1148 Mr. J. Gibbons: It is. It is not what the Parliamentary Secretary thinks [1148] because the statement made by the Deputy is correct. Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: I am sure that the Deputies are aware that in other countries in Europe farmers are not satisfied with cattle prices or other prices at present. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: They are much higher than ours. Mr. Crinion Mr. Crinion Mr. Crinion: The prices in other countries are much higher than ours. The Parliamentary Secretary should take a look at the position in France to see what has happened. Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: The position is not confined to Ireland. Mr. Crowley Mr. Crowley Mr. Crowley: Our prices are the lowest. Mr. Crinion Mr. Crinion Mr. Crinion: I should like to give notice that it is my intention to raise the subject matter of Questions Nos. 4 and 5 on the Adjournment. An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: The Chair will communicate with the Deputy. Dáil Éireann 274 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Cattle Trade. Questions 19740716
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