asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state for the last year for which the information is available the total quantity (1) of creamery butter (a) produced in the Free State, and (b) the amount of this consumed in the Free State; (2) of factory butter (a) so produced, and (b) so consumed; and (3) of other non-creamery butter (a) so produced, and (b) so consumed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Butter Production in the Free State.
The following is the information required, the years mentioned being the latest for which the particulars asked for are available:—
|
Description of Butter |
Year |
Production |
Consumption in Saorstát Eireann |
|
cwts. |
cwts. |
||
|
Creamery Butter |
Year ended 31-12-1934 |
769,464 |
324,566 |
|
Non-Creamery Butter blended in Butter Factories |
Year ended 31-12-1931 |
125,520 |
14,068 |
|
Other Non-Creamery Butter |
Year ended 31-5-1930 |
731,000 |
728,000 |
The figures in respect of "other non-creamery butter" are only estimates, as no detailed census in regard to the production and sale of such butter has been made.
Am I to under stand from the Parliamentary Secretary's reply that, although the Dairy Produce (Stabilisation) Act has been in operation for the last three years, no estimate has ever been made as to the amount of butter produced in the country other than creamery butter?
An estimate has been made.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say what are the estimated figures for the years subsequent to 1930 and 1931?
The estimated figures are not available here at the moment.
Do I understand from the Parliamentary Secretary that if another question is put down the estimated figures can be given?
Yes.
I submit that it is very unreasonable that Deputies should have to repeat and repeat questions when information of this kind, dealing with an important matter that is now passing through the House, is asked for. It is not meeting them in a reasonable way.