asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, in order to provide an outlet for milk and dairy products and in view of the excellent and wide range of reasonably priced Irish cheese now available, he will take steps to discontinue imports of cheese for sale from other countries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cheese Imports.
The import of cheese is prohibited except under licence and it is the policy to grant import licences only in respect of cheese of varieties which are not manufactured in this country. As the quantities imported are relatively small, I do not consider it necessary to review existing policy in this matter.
Are we not importing more cheese than we are exporting?
I have not been asked that question. I do not think that is right. However, I have answered the question which was addressed to me on the Order Paper.