asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will increase the island butter and milk subsidy to bring the milk return on islands to the level obtaining on the mainland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Island Butter and Milk Subsidy.
27.
The subsidy of over 17p per gallon available to island milk producers on their skim milk used for animal feeding is similar to that paid to mainland creameries for skim milk taken back by their suppliers. I have had the level of payment for butter supplied by the island milk producers reviewed and I expect to be in a position to make an announcement on this matter at an early date.
Would the Minister accept that it is only justice to bring the level of milk prices on islands to the level obtaining on the mainland? Would he accept that the present price arrangement is 25p per lb for home produced butter and 17p on skimmed milk and that those figures are far below those which mainland farmers get for their milk and milk products?
Yes. As I said, when this review is carried out I hope to be able to restore the relationship that existed previously between the return to the islanders and that applying to milk suppliers on the mainland.
I am happy to hear that the Minister will do that when the review is carried out, but will he accept that his predecessor made a similar statement 12 months ago and no further action was taken? I want action now and I am satisfied with the Minister's statement that he is reviewing the matter. Nevertheless, the milk season is commencing and I hope the review will not be later than this month.
I am aware that Deputy Murphy has been concerned with this issue and has raised it on several occasions.
The present Taoiseach brought in this subsidy.
I am not aware of any commitment given by my predecessor, but as soon as the review is carried out we will implement whatever recommendations they make.
What is happening to the Minister's predecessor today?