asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in order to fix a fair price for milk supplied to the City of Dublin, he has ascertained the cost of production of a gallon of milk in the Dublin production area, or in any one part of it, and, if such information is available in his Department, has it been checked against actual conditions on any single farm, and if he will consider publishing costings in relation to the production of such milk.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk-Production Costs.
The conditions under which milk is produced vary to such an extent between one district and another and even between farms in the same locality that it is impossible to arrive at a figure for the cost of production of a gallon of milk which would apply generally. Details of costs furnished from time to time by farmers supplying milk to Dublin have been examined in my Department, and these and all other relevant matters are taken into consideration when milk prices are being fixed.
The Minister in reply to a question of mine on the 6th February told me that he was satisfied that the price fixed was reasonable taking everything into account. How can he satisfy himself, if he has not definitely gone into the cost of production?
We go into the cost so far as we can.