asked the Minister for Agriculture if it is intended to erect an auxiliary creamery under the control of the Dairy Disposals Company at Kilgobnet, near Beaufort, County Kerry.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kerry Auxiliary Creamery.
Mr. Walsh
The question of the erection of a cream-separating station at Kilgobnet, near Beaufort, County Kerry, was considered by the Dairy Disposals Company on numerous occasions but it was found that such a project was not feasible. The whole question was recently re-examined by the company following my promise to Deputy Flynn in Dáil Éireann on 23rd October, 1952, that a fresh survey of the Kilgobnet area would be undertaken.
As the Deputy knows, there is a travelling creamery stop at Kilgobnet. The company now informs me that the peak day milk supply to this stop in 1952 was not sufficient to warrant the establishment of a cream-separating station in the district. Moreover, if the travelling creamery were withdrawn from Kilgobnet, it would not be economic to continue the service for the two other stops, viz:—Blackstones and Boheeshil, served by this vehicle and the farmers in the two latter districts would thus be deprived of creamery facilities. It is, accordingly, theintention of the company to continue to operate the travelling creamery as at present.
Is the Minister aware that the chairman of the Dairy Disposals Company admits that the proposal in regard to Kilgobnet would be economic and that it is because it is linked up with the question of these other districts where the travelling creamery will operate subsequently that the proposal appears uneconomic? In view of the proposal itself — looking at it as a separate unit—will the Minister further examine the matter?
Mr. Walsh
If the Kilgobnet stop was taken away, the others would not be economic.
I submit that the Kilgobnet scheme on its own is economic, if not linked up, as the Dairy Disposals Company appear to link it, with the other two.
Mr. Walsh
It would not be economic to erect a creamery separating station there.