asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state, with reference to supplies of liquid milk for the City of Dublin, for the three years ended 30th September, 1947: (a) the aggregate quantity supplied in each year; (b) the quantities supplied, for each year, by producers in the production area; (c) the average quantity supplied by producers, in each year; and (d) the quantity supplied, in each year, by creameries.

asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has examined the causes of the diminution in the supplies of milk from the production area, resulting in the Milk Board having to requisition increased supplies from creameries where the Dairy and Cowsheds Acts do not apply; and if so, if he will state the results of such investigation and what steps he proposes to take to ensure adequate supplies from the production area.

I propose with your permission, a Chinn Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 15 and 17 together. The latest date up to which complete figures are available is 31st August, 1947. The following particulars are in respect of the 12 months ended on 31st August in each year.

The slight decrease in producers' supplies in 1947 is no doubt a reflection of the severe weather conditions of the past winter and spring, while the increase in supply from creameries is due in the main to increased consumption.

Does not the Minister realise that a number of new suppliers have been registered? Is he taking that into account? The Minister did not give the information asked for in Question No. 17.

The increased registration is very small.

What would the percentage be?

There was an actual decrease in the County Dublin, and a small increase in County Kildare, a small increase in County Wicklow and a small increase in County Louth. These would not materially affect the amount of milk delivered.

The Minister has indicated in his reply that the supply per individual is falling.

I have given a reason for that, and I think it is a legitimate one, too.

Is that definitely indicated statistically in the case of the supplies that have come from the production area over a period? The Minister has given as the reason the one short period of severe weather this year, but surely the figures show that there has been a decline in the supply.

I have given the reason for it. The actual falling off in the creamery districts has been more pronounced.

May I ask——

Question No. 16.