asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether he favours the granting of permission to milk suppliers in the Millstreet-Ballydaly areas, County Cork, to send their milk to Ballyclough where previously they had been sending it to Kerry Co-Operative Creameries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Milk Supplies.
170.
On the sale last year of the Dairy Disposal Company's Kerry properties, including Millstreet and Ballydaly separating stations, to Kerry Co-Operative Creameries Ltd., I ensured that the sale agreement incorporated guarantees that there would be no diminution in the supply of milk to the Rathmore processing factory and that there would be no worsening of the transferred Dairy Disposal Company's employees' conditions.
I was happy at the time that adequate safeguards for the continued employment of the workers in the Rathmore factory had been provided. In my view the important ingredient in ensuring the continuity of employment was that there would be no diminution in the supply of milk to Rathmore. It was part of my understanding at the time that Kerry Co-operative Creameries Ltd. was likely to agree that the Millstreet and Ballydaly separating stations could join Ballyclough Co-operative Society while at the same time guaranteeing the supply of milk to Rathmore.
I find it difficult now to understand what should be causing a dispute involving serious and unnecessary losses. I would appeal to all the parties in this unfortunate dispute to come together as neighbours and friends and arrive at a settlement that would be acceptable both to the producers and to the workers whose livelihood depends on the availability of the necessary raw material for this important industry.
I agree with practically everything the Minister said, but I wonder if he could tell us whether or not he is prepared to meet the people involved in the dispute in the hope that it might be settled as quickly as possible.
I think it is not really a proper function for me to interfere in this. These properties no longer belong to the Dairy Disposal Company and the matter is one for settlement between the parties themselves. I would of course be only too pleased to take any part that might seem helpful. I understand the position is that they are unfortunately refusing to come together to discuss the problem and I do not know how that can be overcome.
Possibly through the Minister. Consultation.