asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the recently announced suspension of cheese exports to Great Britain.
17.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Cheese Exports to Britain.
16.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether the restrictions on cheese exports to Britain will be discussed in future meetings at ministerial level on the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement; and whether clarification will be sought to enable the Irish cheese industry to continue to export.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 17 together.
There has not been a suspension of cheese exports to Britain, which have been proceeding as programmed for the year ending 31st March.
It may be taken that the British proposals for limitation of cheese imports will be discussed at the forthcoming ministerial talks in London and that the Irish side will do everything to ensure that the interests of our cheese industry are preserved.
Is there any danger that the statement of intent by the British Minister of Agriculture will prevent further expansion in the cheese industry here?
I am afraid I did not get the start of the question.
Is there any danger that the statement of intent attributed to the British Minister suggesting that there will not be the same openings in the future for our cheese exports will have an effect on the expansion of our cheese industry?
If one were so obviously the other would follow. If the first part of the Deputy's supplementary were so, the second would follow.
Does the Minister agree with any part of it? Has the Minister any ideas on the subject?
If it is ideas the Deputy wants——
A statement would do. It has been said publicly.
I have been saying the reverse and it has not been taken note of by the Deputy's Party. They seem to know more about the British Ministry.
Is the Minister saying that our cheese industry can continue to expand with full confidence of an export outlet in Britain?
If the Deputy reads what I said in reply to him he will know what I said.
Is the Minister reassuring the House on the subject?
The Deputy asked for information and I gave it to him to the best of my ability.
I can understand why the farmers did not talk to the Minister for three years.
The Deputy does not understand anything.