asked the Minister for Agriculture whether it is proposed to decontrol the price of milk after the 1st July, 1952.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Decontrol of Milk Prices.
Mr. Walsh
The only milk prices in regard to which I have a function are the prices payable to producers for milk sold for liquid consumption in the Dublin and Cork Sale Districts and the prices payable for milk supplied to creameries. As regards the former prices, it is obligatory on me, under the provisions of the Milk (Regulation of Supply and Price) Acts, 1936 and 1941, to prescribe minimum prices payable to producers for such milk and the question of decontrol of prices cannot, therefore, arise. As regards creamery milk prices, as already announced, the Government have decided that the prices arranged last July will continue.
It is the Minister's function to determine what is the equitable price to be paid to suppliers of milk in Cork and Dublin?
Mr. Walsh
The minimum price.
The minimum equitable price, or is it the equitable price? The Minister has the right to fix the minimum equitable price to be paid to Cork and Dublin suppliers. Is the Minister satisfied that the prices to which he has agreed are equitable?
Mr. Walsh
I fix the minimum price for milk.
Am I to understand that the farmers are entitled to something more than the minimum price prescribed by the Minister in respect of milk supplied by producers in Dublin and surrounding counties?
I do not think they are minimum prices but fixed prices.
Did the Minister reply?
Mr. Walsh
To what question? I did not catch the question.
I heard the Minister saying that he prescribed minimum prices.
Mr. Walsh
Yes.
I want to know does that mean that the people producing milk for distribution in Dublin City are entitled to demand a higher price than they are receiving at present?
Mr. Walsh
I have no functions in that.
Is it a fixed price?
It is the minimum price. The Minister for Industry and Commerce fixes the maximum price.
I think the Minister for Agriculture is required by law to fix a price, above which and below which people cannot go.
Is the Minister required, under the 1936 Act, to fix an equitable price?
Mr. Walsh
Not that I am aware of.
The board is required to recommend to the Minister equitable prices, and if the Minister does not accept the board's recommendation, the Minister is bound to fix an equitable price.
Everybody is trying to trip up the Minister.