asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if in view of recent reports of a decline in the number of pigs available for slaughter he will ensure that there will be no scarcity of hams and gammons for home consumption at Christmas.

As I indicated in reply to a question on 6th November, pig production has not declined this year but has in fact expanded significantly. There is, therefore, no reason to foresee a scarcity of hams and gammons for home consumption at Christmas.

If the Minister thinks there is any shortage of hams and gammons, it will be supplied by the Labour Party.

We are not as affluent as the Fianna Fáil gang of racketeers. We have to pay for what we get, not like some of them.