asked the Minister for Agriculture (a) if there have been any satisfactory developments with regard to the negotiations his Department is having with the UK Ministry of Agriculture on the subject of the possible removal of the variable premiums; (b) if in the absence of a satisfactory outcome he will indicate any positive prospects for the reopening of the meat processing plants at Leixlip and Sallins in County Kildare; and (c) if he can suggest any course of action which might bring about the reopening of these plants and the stabilisation of the meat trade generally.
Written Answers. - Reopening of Meat Processing Plants.
628.
Discussions on the problems arising from the operation of the variable premium have already taken place with the UK at official level. No final conclusions have been reached and I myself shall be discussing the matter shortly with the British Minister.
I do not accept the implication that the factories mentioned are closed simply because of the variable premium and as regards the final part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a question on the same subject on 16 June.