asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (i) how many employees were working in the Mitchelstown Creameries (a) for the year 1947, and (b) from May, 1948, to December, 1948; and (ii) whether he has any information as to the effects on employment at these creameries of the circular issued on the 16th July, 1948, asking them to produce more butter to ensure that the six ounce butter ration would be maintained for the winter; and, if so, whether he will give full particulars of these effects.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mitchelstown Creameries.
I would be disagreeably surprised to learn that any such dismissals as are envisaged in the Deputy's question have taken place, and in the absence of evidence to this effect, I propose to assume that nothing of this kind has taken place.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (i) the number of tons of cheese held by the Mitchelstown Co-operative Creameries last April; (ii) whether representations were made to him by the manager of the creameries for a licence to export the cheese to Britain, and (iii) the amount of cheese exported by the company to Britain and Northern Ireland from May, 1948, to December, 1948.
The information required is as follows:—(i) The total quantity of cheese held by Mitchelstown Co-operative Creameries on 30th April, 1948, was 568 tons; (ii) yes; (iii) the quantity of cheese exported by the creamery to Great Britain and Northern Ireland up to 31st December, 1948, was approximately 960 tons.