asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the present position regarding the proposal to provide a milk processing plant at Tipperary town; and the reason for the delay involved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tipperary Milk Processing Plant.
20.
I understand that negotiations between the Dairy Disposal Company and representatives of the co-operative societies concerned for the transfer of the company's interests in the Tipperary area to an amalgamated co-operative society have resulted in a provisional agreement being reached. This agreement is subject to confirmation by the co-operative societies concerned and subsequently to submission for approval by me and by the Minister for Finance.
I wonder could the Minister be more specific and say if the appropriate licence has been granted in this case and, if so, when? The Minister will be aware that I have adverted to this matter in this House on many occasions. A positive promise was made prior to the General Election of 1965 by his predecessor, the then Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Deputy Haughey, that this processing plant would be established without delay and that it would give employment. Nothing tangible has been done since. In the circumstances would the new Minister bend his energies towards honouring the promise made to the people of Tipperary town where there is an exceptionally high incidence of unemployment and emigration, and provide this much needed industry without further delay?
The Deputy can take it as certain that the licence will be granted and that the promise made will be honoured once agreement has been reached by the interests concerned.
Question No. 21.
Can the Minister say to what extent the initiative lies with the local people, with the creameries, the farmers' associations and the business people in the town, to accelerate the establishment of the industry, and what can we do as public representatives to bring about the establishment of this much-lauded industry?
We are waiting for confirmation of the agreement from the co-operative societies concerned. It is at that stage now. The ball is in the court of the co-operative societies.
Question No. 21.
I want to ask the Minister if it is a fact——
I have called Question No. 21. The Deputy has asked three supplementary questions.