Vol. 403 No. 3
63 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the date on which he first announced his intention to set up a National Milk Agency; his views on whether sufficient time has elapsed and consideration taken place to facilitate the setting up of the agency; if it is still his intention to set up a National Milk Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In April 1988 I announced that the European Commission had accepted my proposals for a new national milk agency to replace the Dublin and Cork district milk boards. In the meantime consultations have been taking place with the various sides of the industry on the details of these proposals and draft legislation to establish the milk agency is being prepared. I hope to be in a position to present the Bill to the Oireachtas in the near future.
I am satisfied that the new arrangements, to which all sides of the industry are committed, will ensure the orderly development of the liquid milk market in Ireland.
