asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture how many creamery inspectors are employed in the Saorstát under the Dairy Produce Acts, and the total salaries paid to them.

Twenty-one inspectors are employed under the Dairy Produce Act. The salaries of these officers, exclusive of cost-of-living bonus, amount for the year ending 31st instant to £6,242.

What does the bonus amount to?

£2,958, a total of £9,200, an average of £400 odd per annum, and they are well worth the money.

While I am in full agreement with the Minister as to the necessity there is for having strict supervision over these creameries, owing to the economic state of the country, would it not be well to substitute the local Guards for these men? They are actually living near the creameries, and as far as I can make out they would be competent and would do the work as well. I recommend that.

The duties of these inspectors are to inspect the creamery from the point of view of its organisation, equipment and plant and from the point of view of the technical competence of the processes that are carried out in the creamery. Surely a Guard has not technical qualifications for such a position.

Technical assaults, yes.

That is a completely senseless interruption.

Does the Minister not see that a great saving would be obtained by substituting Guards for these inspectors?

Yes, but could the Guards do the work?

Considering that they are drawn from the farming community, I do not see why they would not be competent.

Does the Deputy not think that the increase in the quantity, quality, and general value of our butter exports is worth £6,000 a year?

Mr. KENT rose——