asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that creamery suppliers in two areas in County Cork have been informed by officials of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society that if they, the suppliers, are not prepared to undertake the financial liabilities involved in the acquisition of the creameries which they supply, and undertake them at once, the Minister will either break up the groups and dispose of them to existing co-operative societies or, alternatively, will close down the creameries, and, if so, whether he will permit suppliers to creamery groups operated by the Dairy Disposals Board to decide freely whether they shall acquire such creameries and if he proposes to take compulsory action in regard to the date of any such acquisition.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Creamery Suppliers.
The answer to the first part of the question is "No." My intention is to give the suppliers to creamery groups held by the Dairy Disposal Company in County Cork and elsewhere the first chance to acquire the creameries on very reasonable terms which will enable them to operate the groups without undue financial strain. The suppliers are, of course, free to decide whether or not they wish to acquire the creameries on the terms specified, but it seems to me that a decision against acquisition would not be in their own best interests. Should the suppliers decide not to take advantage of the opportunity offered to them the future of these groups will then have to be determined, but the Deputy may be assured that whatever the outcome may be the question of closing down the creameries will not be considered.