asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the anxiety expressed by creamery co-operatives and milk producers generally in relation to the amalgamation of creameries; and if he will state the present position on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Creamery Amalgamation.
22.
The concept of re-organisation, which involves amalgamation and rationalisation, is now generally accepted by the creamery industry and the majority of co-operative creamery societies have been giving the matter serious consideration. Notable progress has been made by some societies and in the case of the Dairy Disposal Company, I have given approval for negotiations in certain cases for the appropriate transfer of some of the company's creameries.
I appreciate that the question of amalgamation is one which requires careful examination by creamery societies from the social as well as from the economic aspect and in an effort to assist societies which may have problems about the merits or de-merits of particular proposals I have decided to set up an independent group which would examine such proposals from the national, social and economic viewpoints. I hope to be in a position to announce the composition of this group, shortly.
Can the Minister tell us if there is any proposal to give adaptation grants to assist creameries in this rationalisation policy?
Much as I should like to I do not think I can answer that straight off. There are applicants for grants for milk processing and these may or may not be related to amalgamation. They are not ruled out, if that is what the Deputy wants to know. They may possibly be used for that purpose or in association with amalgamation.
Did I understand the Minister to say he was getting further expert advice in this?
No. What I am doing is what I promised the farming organisations quite a considerable time ago.
I am glad the Minister said a considerable time ago.
Yes, the last time they sought to see me. I decided that, because of the overall considerations, as distinct from purely local considerations, and from the economic and social aspects, it would be well to have some group which could be regarded as neutral in so far as this examination would be concerned to examine into the proposed amalgamation and advise me on it before it was either thrown out or put into operation, the idea being to examine the actual proposed amalgamation at any given point and not to make new proposals on how to do the job. We have had enough of those. This is to examine the matter in the actual details of its application.