The recent decision of certain members of the Corporation to support a monopoly in Irish news printing paper has drawn criticism from various quarters, including the United Irishman publication and the Cork Industrial Committee. The protest raised in the United Irishman and supported by the Cork Industrial Committee highlights a concerning issue. Despite having a single Irish paper company, it is noted that this company is able to sell its paper more affordably in England than in Ireland itself. Furthermore, Irish newspapers could potentially purchase this paper at a lower cost from an English factor, but the Irish paper mill restricts such transactions for Irish newspaper owners.

The Limerick Corporation’s decision appears to disadvantage local newspapers, potentially leading to a nearly doubled cost for advertising. This situation raises questions about whether the Corporation is willing to allocate more funds for advertising solely for the purpose of subsidizing the monopoly of the Irish paper company, which, ironically, sells its paper cheaper to English buyers than to Irish buyers.

The actions of Councillor Dalton and Alderman Daly, who criticized an Irishman for refusing to pay more for the same product than an Englishman, have been met with amusement and irony. The incident seems to highlight the complexity and contradictions surrounding the issue of paper pricing and monopoly.

Limerick Echo – Tuesday 06 March 1906