asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he will state the number and names of creameries which have ben closed and are likely to be closed down as redundant, under the Creamery Reorganisation Scheme, and whether any return showing details of these creameries, will be presented to the Dáil.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CREAMERY REORGANISATION SCHEME.
Forty-eight creameries have been closed up to the present under the scheme referred to. I am sending the Deputy a list of the names of these creameries. I am not in a position at present to indicate the number or names of the further creameries which it may be found necessary to close down.
In regard to the concluding portion of the question, I am not aware as to the nature of the details which the Deputy has in mind, but if he will furnish me with information on this point I shall look into the matter.
Having regard to the uncertainty which at present prevails as to the attitude of the Government to the creameries, or ones that may possibly be erected, and also bearing in mind the general dissatisfaction at the result of the secret negotiations carried on by the Government, would the Minister consider it advisable to make the pronouncement that I have asked, so that this matter can be investigated in the light of public discussion?
Mr. HOGAN
I am quite willing, but I want to know what inquiries the Deputy wants. The question runs: "To ask the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he will state the number and names of creameries which have been closed." I stated that forty-eight creameries have been closed and that I will send the Deputy a return of the names. That is the answer to the first part. I also stated that I am not in a position at present to indicate how many are really to be closed in the future.
That is the point between us.
Mr. HOGAN
The latter part of the question reads: "And whether any return showing details of these creameries will be presented to the Dáil." What details does the Deputy want? I suggest that the Deputy should think over the question of what details he wants, and then I will consider whether I can give them.