asked the Taoiseach if he will consider the advisability of seeking a long-term agreement with the Six-County Government for exports of butter to the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Butter Exports to Six Counties.
1.
I understand that the sale or import of butter is not officially controlled in the Six Counties, that we are free to market our butter there in competition with local producers and other exporters and that, in fact, we normally supply a substantial proportion of that market under existing arrangements. In the circumstances, there is no need to seek a long-term agreement with the Government of Northern Ireland as suggested. It will, of course, be a function of the new Board which it is proposed to set up under the Dairy Produce Marketing Bill to arrange with the commercial interests concerned for the marketing of our butter exports to the best advantage.
Would the Taoiseach agree that Northern Ireland paid a better price for butter than any other part of the world?
The fact is, of course, that a large part of the butter we export is sold in Northern Ireland.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that in view of the fact that they are giving a better price, it would be more advantageous that we should export more to Northern Ireland than try to sell it abroad?
I certainly will agree with that, but my point in reply to the Deputy's question is that there are no facilities that we lack to enable us to do so.