asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why he did not appoint an officially accredited representative of the NFA, the ICMSA and the Leinster milk producers to the expert group nominated to consider a two-tier system for payment of milk.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Two-Tier Milk Prices.
79.
The purpose of the group is to make an expert study of the proposal for a two-tier price system for creamery milk. The persons appointed by me are eminently qualified to do this and they are of course acting as members of the group in their individual capacities.
Does the Minister think it wise that farmers' organisations who look after this precise category should not be represented on this expert group? How does he hope to get the farmers with him if he produces an expert group on which they have no representative?
There are two aspects of this. First of all, one of the members of the group is, in fact, an executive member of one of the farming organisations. Secondly, in a matter of this sort, it is open to any farmer, or group of farmers, or farmers' organisations to come before this group, submit their case and give evidence.
Does the Minister think it right that farmers should be told what is good for them, rather than that they themselves should have a voice in the decision and not just make representations?
That does not arise at all. What we are concerned with here is the examination of a proposal put forward by a particular farming organisation. I indicated in the House that I had my doubts as to merits of this proposal, but that in order to satisfy everyone, I would establish an expert group to study the proposal in detail, make a report to me on the feasibility and desirability of the proposals, and make recommendations.
Which of the men in that group ever milked a cow?
There is such a man in the group. Mr. James O'Keeffe of Kerry is a dairy farmer of standing.
He is one man. Surely there should be more than one.
I am sure General Costello knows a bit about milking cows also.