Vol. 258 No. 11
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he has received any representation in regard to the raising of the price paid for liquid milk to producers in counties Meath and Kildare and elsewhere in the Dublin and Cork Liquid Milk Board areas; and if he will indicate his policy in relation to the matter.
51.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if there is an adequate and assured future supply of liquid milk for the Dublin market; and if not, if he will indicate what action he proposes to take in the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 51 together.
I have received representations on behalf of producers of liquid milk in the supply areas of the Dublin and Cork District Milk Boards for a price increase, following the recent price increase to producers of creamery milk. I will make an announcement in the matter as soon as practicable.
The supply of milk for liquid consumption in the Dublin area should not be any less adequate in the future than it has been up to now.
I realise we cannot expect a precise date but "as soon as practicable" is extremely vague and could mean anything up to ten years. Could the Minister indicate a little more precisely what it means.
I can tell the Deputy without any hesitation that it will not be ten years. I, too, realise that this question needs to be dealt with as expeditiously as possible and I propose to do that.
Would it be a matter of one or two months?
As quickly as possible.
That is very evasive. Will it be within a quarter of a year?
It is not evasive. I do not want to pin myself down to a firm date.
Is the Minister aware there is an imminent danger of a shortage of liquid milk?
No, I am not so aware.
He will wait until it happens.
