asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether he will consider disposing of the creameries in the Skibbereen area at present under the control of the Dairy Disposal Board to a responsible body of farmers; and, if so, on what terms.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disposal of County Cork Creameries.
The creameries in the Skibbereen area, now known as the West Cork group, were acquired by the Dairy Disposal Company during the year 1945. The work of reorganising the group has, however, not yet been brought to completion and it would, in my opinion, be unwise, just at the present stage of their development, to transfer these creameries to co-operative ownership. If, when the group is ripe for transfer, a majority of the milk suppliers forms a satisfactory co-operative society to acquire and operate these creameries, I shall be willing and anxious to enter into negotiations for the sale of this group on reasonable terms.
Mr. Collins
Could the Minister possibly indicate when the work of reorganising these West Cork creameries will be completed or when they will become available for suitable groups to take them over on a co-operative basis?
It is hard to fix even an approximate date because it depends to some extent on our ability to acquire the equipment necessary to convert collecting stations into central creameries. But the Deputy may depend upon it that a special division of my Department is being exclusively charged with the task of expediting this proceeding.