asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the procedure which it is proposed to follow in implementing the IAOS proposals for re-organisation of the dairying industry; and when it is proposed to put the proposals into effect.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reorganisation of Dairy Industry.
41.
A plan illustrating a possible form of reorganisation of the creamery industry has recently been prepared by the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society and, I understand, is at present the subject of discussion at the Society's regular regional conferences.
Would the Minister say whether or not this proposed reorganisation was, in fact, examined in his, Department before the document was circulated to the creameries; in other words, was it examined and approved by his Department before it was circulated?
There was no question of my Department approving it. This is an IAOS exercise.
Could the Minister now allay anxiety on two very important points arising from this document? Can he give an assurance, first of all, that the proposed reorganisation will result in a better return for the dairy farmers, and that the employment of the existing workers will be sustained?
The whole purpose of any rationalisation or reorganisation of the structure of the dairying industry in this country would be to ensure that, by the elimination of all uneconomic factors, the industry would be made more efficient and capable of paying a better price to the dairy farmer. That would be the whole purpose of the exercise. I have already met the Creamery Managers' Association and discussed with them the question of redundancy. I have indicated to them that I accept in principle the statement in the survey report that if there is to be any redundancy—and it is not by any means certain that there will be—the principle of compensation for such redundancy should be accepted by all concerned.