asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will instruct the Dairy Disposals Board to establish creamery centres in County Wexford with a view to providing cowkeepers who cannot find a remunerative market for home-made butter with a means of disposing of their milk at an economic price.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Wexford Creamery Centres.
The Dairy Disposal Company has already been asked to make a survey of County Wexford to the end indicated in the Deputy's question. The Deputy can materially help if he will indicate to me the places which he has in mind as suitable centres for the establishment of creameries, and will furnish me in regard to each with particulars of farmers in the adjoining areas who are able and willing to supply sufficient milk to maintain a creamery or separating station.
The Dairy Disposals Board have already made a survey in County Wexford.
They are in process of doing that.
They have already made it. Have they furnished a report to the Minister of the areas which, in their opinion, would be suitable as creamery centres?
Not yet. There is plenty of time for the Deputy to give us his assistance.
The Deputy is not employed by the Department of Agriculture, as the Minister knows.
No, but he is employed by the people of Wexford.
I am not employed.
By the people of Wexford?
I am not employed by the Department of Agriculture.
But you are by the people of Wexford.
And the Minister has officers in his Department quite capable of doing this job.
The Deputy is not a paid official.
I understood him to be a public representative, though.
He is and a very good one.
I think the Minister should stop these abusive references in his replies.
I agree.
Would the Minister say if, arising out of the survey, which, to my knowledge, has already been carried out, he will direct that any steps will be taken before the next milk season to ensure that creameries are established in Wexford?
Every expedition will be used to repair the ravages that have been done.