asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that there is a grave danger of a serious shortage, if not a complete stoppage, of milk for consumers in the Greystones-Backlion area in the near future, and if he will state whether this condition is due to the present regulation operating under the Milk (Regulation of Supply and Price) Act, 1936, and whether he intends to take any action in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wicklow Milk Supplies.
Mr. Brennan
I understand that a Dublin wholesaler who supplies pasteurised milk to Greystones is at present considering discontinuing the delivery of milk to this area, as he alleges that the prescribed maximum retail prices for milk payable in the Greystones area, which are lower than the prices fixed for the Dublin sale district, do not allow him a sufficient margin to cover the costs of the collection of milk from farmers throughout the production district, transport to Dublin, pasteurisation, bottling and delivery to Greystones. These retail prices for milk are fixed by the Minister for Industry and Commerce under the Milk (Regulation of Supply and Price) Act, 1936. As far as I am aware, however, there is no general scarcity of milk, and I feel sure that if the need arose the consumers in the Greystones area could co-operate to arrange for the collection of sufficient milk to meet their requirements.