Vol. 238 No. 12
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will detail the proposals which he has had under consideration in relation to the establishment of milk processing plants in Tipperary; if he will indicate his views on these proposals; and when a decision will be taken.
9.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries what creamery branches will be affected by the proposed establishment of milk processing plants in Tipperary; the number at present employed in them; the number which it is envisaged will be employed in the proposed plants; and what steps will be taken to ensure the continued employment of the present staffs.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions 8 and 9 together.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a question on the subject by Deputy Hogan on 5th February. I understand that negotiations between the Dairy Disposal Company and the co-operative societies concerned are now in progress.
There are, I understand, about 200 people employed by the co-operative societies while the Dairy Disposal Company's creameries and milk powder plant in the area provide employment for 87, of whom 36 are employed on a seasonal basis. I am not in a position to say at this stage what overall numbers will be employed in the event of the creameries and the milk powder plant in the area being taken over by a single new co-operative society but one of the conditions I laid down for the opening of negotiations between the Dairy Disposal Company and the co-operative societies was in relation to safeguarding the interests of the staff.
