asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware of the hardship imposed on the people of Bere Island since the system of hauling milk to the mainland was introduced; and if in view of the extent of the island and the impracticability of such a system, he will provide a pasteurisation plant for the creamery on the island and thus restore the facilities previously available to the island people for the disposal of their milk.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disposal of Milk on Bere Island.
4.
The cream-separating station which is operated by the Dairy Disposal Company Limited on Bere Island is closed down each winter and usually reopens early in May but because of difficulties which the company experienced in equipping the premises for the pasteurisation of separated milk, the reopening has been delayed this year. The company expects to have the installation of the pasteurising equipment completed and the station reopened in about two weeks' time.
In the meantime many of the milk suppliers have arranged to have their milk sent by boat to the mainland where it is separated and the skim milk pasteurised at Castletownbere Creamery. The company hopes that the islanders can continue to have their milk handled in this way for the short time remaining until the station on the island can be reopened.
The station will be opened in about two weeks or so?
That is correct.