asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, in view of the scarcity of egg supplies last winter, and the consequent high price to consumers, particularly in Dublin City, he is now taking steps to ensure that a similar situation will not arise next winter.

I have no power to ensure that there will be adequate supplies of eggs next winter. It is my policy to obtain greater production of eggs in the second half of the year when prices are more attractive and I lose no opportunity of impressing this on egg producers.