asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is now in a position to give a decision as to the importation of an equivalent amount of millers' offal (bran and pollard) with imported flour; if he is aware that the lack of grass due to the harsh spring renders feeding stuffs necessary, and that they are uneconomical owing to the present prices, and if he will state what decision was arrived at by the Irish Flour Milling Joint Industrial Council.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - IMPORTATION OF MILLERS' OFFAL.
Mr. HOGAN
As a result of the discussions at the last meeting of the Joint Council for the Flour Milling Industry the Minister for Agriculture, in conjunction with the Minister for Industry and Commerce, in view of the fact that a decision to require the importation of an equivalent amount of wheat offals with imported flour might have farreaching effects on the interests of farmers and stock breeders, has set up an Inter-Departmental Committee, which is at present receiving evidence from parties affected by such a proposal. It is hoped that a decision will be reached at a very early date. The fact is that the Joint Industrial Council—both sides of the Council—are still considering the proposals which were put before them, and pending their decision, and assuming to some extent a favourable decision from them, we have set up an Inter-Departmental Committee, which is going on with the necessary details.
Is your Department represented on that Committee?
Mr. HOGAN
Yes; Industry and Commerce and Agriculture.