asked the Minister for Agriculture if he has further considered the question of an increase in the price paid to farmers for milk for liquid consumption in the Dublin Milk Sales District since a reply of 21st February, 1963; and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Milk Price.
19.
I have nothing to add to my reply to the Deputy's Question of 21st February, 1963.
Is the Minister aware that this was the most difficult winter for feeding dairy cows ever known? The cost has increased by from 25 per cent to 35 per cent in the past few years and the farmers have not received any increase in the price of milk. Is the Minister aware that farmers are, perhaps, selling their milk at a loss or certainly very little profit?
Dublin and Cork are the only two areas in which the price of liquid milk is fixed by me. If the Deputy is making the case that I should withdraw the controls and allow the producers themselves to make a case for an increased price, I would consider that.
The Deputy is making no such case and he will not allow words to be put into his mouth. He is merely suggesting that the price be increased to the producers. The Minister has already increased the price to the distributors by 4d.
Then the Deputy must be reasonably satisfied with the way I am doing my job.
The Deputy is quite dissatisfied with the way the Minister is doing his job.