asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the position in the Dublin district milk area where producers have been asked to hold back some portion of their production; and, if so, if he will take immediate steps to ensure that a profitable outlet will be found for all milk produced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Milk Supplies.
41.
I presume that the Deputy is referring to a circular issued by the Leinster Milk Producers' Association to their members on 21st May, 1965.
For the past 22 years the Dublin District Milk Board, acting on behalf of the milk producers in their area, have found a market for all the milk produced in the area surplus to the requirements of the liquid trade. I have no reason to doubt that the board will be able to continue to market this surplus successfully. The circular from the Leinster Milk Producers made it quite clear that it was a matter for decision by the producers themselves whether they would hand over all their surplus to the Dublin District Milk Board or dispose of it in some other way.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary make a statement that would assure the producers that in future, no matter how much milk is produced, a proper outlet will be found? This has arisen before.
The position up to now has been quite satisfactory. Since 1960 milk production more than doubled and, in fact, outlets have been found for the surplus.
Is that not what we want?
In fact, satisfactory outlets have been found, and there is no reason to doubt that that position will not continue.