asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that the basic price obtained by dairy farmers for milk delivered to creameries is totally uneconomic: and, if so, whether he proposes to take any steps to improve the basic price for the 1966 season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Creamery Milk Price.
47.
I am not so aware.
Is it not a fact that the Minister recently received representations from various farming organisations on the question of milk prices and is it not true that he undertook to review the position?
Yes. I recently received a deputation from the ICMSA who made a number of suggestions and proposals, all of which I considered carefully. In regard to the price of milk, I explained to them that the present price level was costing the Exchequer £11 million this year and that it would rise to something between £13 million and £14 million next year. While the Government are at all times very conscious of the importance of the milk industry and are anxious to increase the price to the creamery milk suppliers, we must have regard to this very heavy burden imposed on the Exchequer.