asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he can state the quantity of Irish creamery butter for sale in cold storage on the 31st December, 1929; 28th February, 1930, and 30th April, 1930.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Creamery Butter in Cold Storage.
Mr. Hogan
The Department have not information at their disposal which would enable the figures asked for to be supplied.
When will the Department have that information?
Is the Minister not aware that there are 900 tons of butter in cold storage in this country at the present time?
Mr. Hogan
I have not got the figures, and I could not get them. The cold stores are owned by the I.A.C. and various other interests. If I were seeking any information I would have to circularise every creamery in the country, the I.A.C. and all the private interests, and I dare say they would not answer, and they would be quite right.
Is the Minister aware of the amount of butter imported during the last year?
Mr. Hogan
That matter does not arise now.
Was there not reference made at a meeting of the creamery managers held in Dublin to the quantity of butter in cold storage?
Mr. Hogan
It might have been made known as to what amount the I.A.C. had; that information might have been conveyed to a meeting of that body. I have no power to compel the I.A.C. or any private company to tell me what amount of butter they have in cold storage. It would be hardly fair to ask any firm that is competing with other firms what stocks they hold.