andMr. E. Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries when he will be in a position to rationalise the dairy industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dairy Industry.
34.
I have expressed on a number of occasions my desire for the speedy rationalisation of the dairying industry and as a measure of assistance in the matter I have recently requested the Minister for Industry and Commerce to sponsor amending legislation to provide that a special resolution for amalgamation purposes may be passed by a simple majority instead of a 75 per cent majority as at present.
I should like to see more rapid progress made in this matter particularly in relation to our proposed membership of the EEC but it has to be recognised that the implementation of a rationalisation programme is a matter for the co-operative societies themselves.
Does the Minister have in mind referring any more cases to the committee that he has set up to investigate the economic and social consequences of the proposals for creamery rationalisation?
Certainly, I would refer other cases if I thought that this was the best way of securing rationalisation.
Has the Minister any specific case in mind?
At the moment it would not be fitting for me to say whether I have but there are a number of cases in respect of which, in the context of a new arrangement in the voting pattern of societies for amalgamation, resort to the committee may not be necessary as frequently as one might anticipate.
It would still have economic and social consequences despite a change in the legislation.
The question refers not only to the creamery industry but to the dairy industry as a whole. Is the Minister aware that creameries in the Dublin area are collecting milk in areas such as Newcastle or Rathcoole that are about seven miles from the city while large complexes in the city travel as far as Ferns in Wexford to collect milk? Would the Minister consider that some form of rationalisation is necessary in the milk collecting section of the dairy industry?
That is a separate question. It relates to the disposal of surplus milk supplies in the milk supply area.