asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has recently received resolutions from prominent representatives of the provision trade in County Donegal with reference to the shortage in the supply of bacon, and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the existing state of affairs.

I have recently received a resolution, relative to bacon supplies, from merchants in Letter-kenny. Similar representations which were made in July last by provision merchants in County Donegal were referred to the Bacon Marketing Board who offered supplies and I understand that the board is prepared, in case any shortage exists, to provide supplies to meet it.

Within as recently as last week, buyers were not attending the fairs in north Donegal and the people had to bring their pigs home.

I am aware that that has occurred.

Is the Minister not aware that there is something wrong with the bacon trade, particularly in Donegal—one of the greatest pig producing counties in Ireland—when you cannot buy bacon in the shops in the middle of the tourist season?

On a previous occasion when this complaint was made to me, the bacon board circularised traders in Donegal and none of them was prepared to take a side of bacon because they said they did not want any more bacon.

I understand that pigs are coming in from Northern Ireland, or were coming in up to recently.

Not now.

Will the Minister open North Donegal to the buyers in Derry City?

The farmers would not get as good a price.

They would get a price of some kind.

Obviously not, if pigs can come in here and pay a tariff of 10 shillings.