I wish to announce to the Dáil that I have decided to set up an InterDepartmental Committee to advise on the sufficiency of the existing provisions relating to the cleanliness and wholesomeness of the milk supply and on the administrative or other measures required for the better attainment of those objects. The Committee will be constituted as follows:—Chairman, Deputy R. Wilson. Members: Deputy Dr. T. Hennessy, Deputy P.K. Hogan. Deputy J.T. Nolan, Dr. E.F. Stephenson, Chief Medical Adviser, Department of Local Government and Public Health; Dr. M.J. Russell, F.R.C.S.I.; P.F. Dolan, M.R.C.V.S.; Sir William J. Thompson, M.D., F.R.C.P.I.; J. Johnston, A.R.C.Sc.I.; P. O'Connor, Department of Lands and Agriculture; L.S. Smith, Department of Local Government and Public Health. A preliminary meeting of the Committee will be held at an early date. It is not intended that subsequent meetings will be held during the coming recess. Any parties wishing to give evidence, or who desire to make any representations on the subject, might communicate by letter with the Secretary, Committee on the Milk Supply, Department of Local Government and Public Health.
COMMITTEE ON MILK SUPPLY.
Would the Minister say why he did not put somebody on that Commission who would directly represent the poor, who are the people most affected in this question of clean milk?
All sorts of people will be affected indirectly by the findings of this Committee, and it is very hard to see how I can give representation on it to every section. Anyone reading down the names will see that there is no one included in this Committee except those associated directly with the production of milk. If the Deputy has in mind anyone else he thinks should be on the Committee I would be willing to consider the matter. I do not think there is any member in his Party associated with milk production. If there is I would be glad to include him.