asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether he has determined the question of subsidisation of milk produced on islands where creamery facilities are not available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Subsidy for Island-produced Milk.
132.
This matter is still under examination.
Whom does the Minister think he is codding? I got the very same answer from him some months ago. I think I got the same answer from his predecessor some years ago. In fact, I think I got that type of answer several years ago from the late Deputy Walsh when he was Minister for Agriculture.
Has the Deputy a question?
The Minister is unfair. He is treating this as a joke.
Has the Deputy a question to put?
Give me a little time. When will the Minister make a decision on this matter?
It would be very easy to take a decision——
The Minister is supposed to be the saviour of the small farmers.
If the Deputy wants——
He is posing as that.
If the Deputy wants to have this matter discussed in a constructive way, we can do that. If he wants to have a slanging match——
I will take the Minister up any way he likes. I know his type all right.
(Interruptions.)
Give the Minister an opportunity to reply.
It would be easy for me to give an answer in the negative here and now, but I am concerned with trying to do something to help in this situation.
That was the first answer the Minister gave me when he assumed the post of Minister for Agriculture.
I have been looking into it. It is a very difficult question, and if it were capable of some easy and simple solution. I am sure that some of my predecessors would have provided it long ago.
I rated the Minister's capacity higher.