asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state if he has made any arrangements for the storage of dried milk or tinned milk or milk in any form for home use.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Storage of Milk.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together.
I see no need for making any special arrangements of the kind suggested by the Deputy in respect of any of the commodities referred to in his two questions under reply.
In the event of buyers from foreign countries purchasing without restriction in our live-stock markets here, with the possibility of leaving us ultimately short, will the Minister say what steps he has taken to preserve to our own people an adequate supply of meat and milk, tinned, dried or otherwise? What steps has he taken to avert possible hardship arising if too many of our milch cows are exported? What steps has he taken to ensure a supply of both beef and milk at a reasonable price?
There is no reference in either of the questions to the export of milch cows.
But the Minister must be aware that there is to-day a serious shortage of milk, not alone in the city but in many parts of the country. What steps will the Minister take to prevent that shortage continuing and causing hardship to the people who now have to travel long distances to secure their requirements of milk?
The people are very glad to get what they want by travelling long distances.
That is not a proper answer for the Minister to make. What steps has he taken to avert a shortage? The Minister's reply is not a reply.
The Deputy will resume his seat.
I will persist in asking. What steps has he taken?
The Deputy is to resume his seat.
What steps has the Minister taken to avert a shortage of milk?
The Deputy will resume his seat.
I hold I am entitled to a reply on that very serious question. I impress its seriousness.
The Deputy will resume his seat.
There is a shortage of milk in Dublin and the Taoiseach has said that this is the place to raise questions concerning our people. I want to know am I not to get an answer?
The Deputy will resume his seat.
Why should I be treated any differently from anybody else?