andJ. Lynch asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, in view of his statement of 1st July, 1954, when replying to the debate on the Estimate for his Department, regarding the Cork milk supply and having regard to the fact that the Cork Corporation have passed a resolution recommending pasteurisation, he will state what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Milk Supply.
Since my return to office, I have resumed active encouragement of the project promoted during my previous term of office through the Cork Milk Producers' Co-operative Society, Limited, for the pasteurisation of supplies of milk for Cork City. I am glad to say that the society have now informed me that they are making the necessary arrangements for the establishment of a pasteurising plant, which I confidently expect will be in operation before the middle of next year. It will then be a matter for the Cork Corporation to implement its intention, of which it decided to give public notice in March, 1952, to request the Minister for Health to make an Order under the Milk and Dairies Act prohibiting the sale of milk other than pasteurised or highest grade milk in the Cork County Borough.
Is the Minister aware that Cork Corporation did give public notice and applied to the Department of Health, and will the Minister explain what he meant when he said that if the milk supply in Cork City was not as good in two years as the supply in Dublin, the fault would lie with the corporation and the county council? Would he explain what he meant by that?
The only things that remain to be done now to ensure pasteurisation of the Cork milk supply are the necessary statutory measures accessible only to the Cork Corporation and the Cork County Council. If these measures are now taken, the Cork milk supply should be pasteurised within the next year.
Is the Minister aware that at one stage, shortly after his ceasing to be Minister for Agriculture, in 1951, he stated that he would take steps to force the Cork County Council to pass the necessary resolution? I would like to ask the Minister how he proposes to take these steps if the occasion arises?
I do not follow the Deputy's question. I understand from Deputy McGrath that the local authorities have taken all the steps. Do I understand from the other Deputy that they have not? I suggest you fight it out between yourselves.
I stated very clearly that the Cork Corporation had taken such steps, but when the present Minister went into opposition, as Deputy Lynch said, he admitted at that time that the corporation had taken those steps but that if he had gone back to office he would have introduced legislation in this House to compel the county council to do so. The Minister is well aware that the Cork Milk Board area covers a part of the county council area as well as the city area. In view of the Minister's unsatisfactory answer here to-day, I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
Perhaps the Deputy overlooks the fact that the proposals envisaged here apply to the Cork urban area under the administration of the Cork Corporation. If they will take the steps I have envisaged, the Cork milk supply should be pasteurised before the middle of next year.
The Cork Corporation have taken all the steps they can take so far and I want to get an explanation as to why the Minister said the fault lay with the Lord Mayor of Cork and the chairman of the county council.
You are very welcome.
Is the Minister aware that it is because of the antagonism of many of the milk suppliers around Cork City that the pasteurisation which is urgently needed has been held up, and not through the inactivity of the Department or the Minister?
Or of the Corporation either.