asked the Minister for Agriculture what was the reduction in the quantity of milk delivered to creameries from 1st January to 12th November, 1959, as compared with the same period in 1958; and what is estimated to be the value of the milk delivered in the two periods.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Deliveries to Creameries.
34.
As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to the reply to a similar question by Deputy Finucane on the 26th November, 1959. As regards the second part, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the Deputy's question on this subject on the 2nd December, 1959.
Surely the Minister or the officers of his Department should be in a position to give an estimate as to the value of the 30,000,000 gallons of milk less delivered to the creameries between the dates mentioned, the 1st January and the 12th November?
We do not get these figures until some time in February and, as far as making an estimate is concerned, there are so many people, members of this House and otherwise, who can make their own estimates that I suppose we will have to leave it until the proper and correct figure reaches us.
Would the Minister not admit that his Department is in a better position to give an estimate in a matter like this than an ordinary Deputy would be?
Departments cannot take the risk of making estimates in the same sense as Deputies and people outside the House can.
Would the Minister admit then that he just wants to cover up the fact that the farmers delivered 30,000,000 gallons of milk less to the creameries this year, and that their income has shrunk by that much in spite of the economic expansion the Taoiseach planned?
I can say now, just as I thought, that the Deputy would make a shot at arriving at his own estimate, despite what I did.
The Deputy did make a shot at it, but the Minister was afraid to admit it.