asked the Minister for Agriculture to state the reasons for the sale of the Rosebower Dairy, Cashel, with its auxiliaries at Grange and Rosegreen, to the Ballyduff Creamery Committee, and the price paid for same, and if he will further state what price was paid to Mr. McCluskey and Mr. Hanly for the creameries purchased from them by the Dairy Disposals Board, and also why, in the resale of the creameries mentioned, a preference was not given to the suppliers.

With regard to the opening and concluding portions of the question, the reason for the course adopted was that the retention of a Central Creamery in Cashel was considered undesirable on grounds of economy. I am not prepared to give the figures asked for in the second and third parts of the question.

Will the Minister say if the Cashel Creamery and its auxiliaries are in possession of the Ballyduff Creamery? Do they hold them yet?

No. We hold the Creameries.