asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the present position regarding the proposed milk processing factory for Tipperary town.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tipperary Milk Factory.
33.
So far as my Department is concerned, there has been no change in the position since I replied to a similar question on 26th May. It is understood that the local co-operative societies are still considering the question of the future organisation of milk processing in the Tipperary area.
Does the Minister harbour any sincere hope of the establishment of this long-promised milk processing factory, or is it just a myth?
This is a matter largely for the co-operatives.
It is a matter for the Minister's Department.
No, it is not.
In a large measure it is.
No, this is to misunderstand the thing completely. If the Department can provide any assistance at all in the solution of this very serious problem in the Tipperary town area we will be very glad to do so. The Deputy must remember that the co-operatives involved are the properties of the shareholder farmers. The Department are not in a position and do not wish to issue instructions to them. The co-operatives and the farmer shareholders are the masters of their own businesses and while the Department are anxious to see a rationalisation taking place in this particular area we do not want to thrust our services upon them. We will be eager and glad to assist if we can.
The Minister's predecessor promised this factory before the election.
I think the Deputy is referring to a project which seems to have been abandoned, at least it has not been mentioned in recent discussions. I should very much like to see a rationalisation of the creamery set-up in the Tipperary town area because it is plainly necessary there and most of the farmers seem to want it. It is a very complicated affair to get a group of co-operative societies to hammer out a common plan. If the Department can assist in any way it will be delighted to do so.
I want the Minister to fulfil a promise to the people.
It is neither the function nor the wish of the Department of Agriculture to impose any plan of theirs on free, independent co-operative farmers. We will not do that. We shall provide them with all the assistance and advice that we can.
It was a political gimmick at election time and nothing more.
There is nothing political in it at all. This is much too important a matter.