asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has seen a statement that Ireland has agreed to quota exports of butter to Great Britain to 31,000,000 lb. per annum and, if this is correct, if he will state what are the precise terms of this agreement and when it was made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. - Exports of Butter to Great Britain.
The statement to which the Deputy refers is not correct. The position is as set out in the announcement made by the Government Information Bureau on the 19th June, 1958, which is as follows:—
"In the course of the recent consultations with the British Government under the Trade Agreements, the Irish Government estimated that the export of butter to Britain in the 12 months from 20th May, 1958, would be less than it has been recently. If it appears likely that actual exports in this period may exceed the total quantity exported in the year 1957, the two Governments will enter into consultations."