asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the equivalent of £8½ million worth of milk by way of dairy products is imported annually; and how he proposes to remedy this imbalance.

Imports of dairy products in 1982 represented about 3 per cent of the value of our exports of dairy products and so the balance of trade in such products is overwhelmingly in Ireland's favour. Much of the imports were speciality products not normally produced here or products imported for further processing and re-export. There is, however, scope for greater use of Irish produced products in substitution for many of them.

I would, therefore, appeal to wholesalers and retailers to promote Irish dairy products to the maximum extent and I would ask manufacturers to provide a wider range of products, especially of cheese, to counter the imports.

Would the Minister arrange for his Department to take an initiative with the IDA in setting up and promoting industries to produce byproducts of agriculture to offset the cost of imports?

I do not think that really is the problem. It is a matter of diversification in the manufacture of dairy products and, in particular, in the manufacture of certain varieties of cheese. The bulk of the imports to which the Deputy refers in his question are cheese products which are not manufactured here and which are speciality items. There is a disturbing element in that some imports of cheese are of the cheddar variety which is produced here. That causes me some surprise and alarm.

Many of our major multinational supermarkets have a very wide range of sophisticated cheeses on their shelves which could be manufactured at home if some incentive were given to the cheese manufacturers and the dairying industry. We have become very much a one-product operation.

I do not want to interrupt the Deputy but we cannot have submissions or speeches during Question Time.

I am new to the House.

I know that. I am new to this position and we must both try to get off on the right foot.

Some incentive must be made available if we are to change from being one-product orientated.

There is a need for diversification, but that is a very costly process. The normal grants are available to any concern engaging in diversification.

I believe that if some initiative——

I appreciate that from the Deputy's knowledge of this matter we could have a very long and learned discussion which would not be appropriate to Question Time.

I suggest that the Minister should review the situation.

Has the Minister any plans in his Department to tackle aggressively the problem referred to in this question, or is he simply calling on wholesalers and manufacturers to deal with it? Has he specific plans in his Department to take an active role in doing so?

I have no specific plans in that regard. I appreciate the need for the diversification of all dairy products whether cheese or other milk products. The various producing bodies, whether they are co-ops or whatever, are also aware of the necessity for and desirability of diversification. It is very costly to promote a new item. They and we are aware of the shortcomings. I have spoken about this to the people concerned. I hope this will lead to a further extension of the range of products. Some very good work has been done in this field in recent years, for instance, in the production of new forms of yoghurt and various liqueur creams. There is a need for specialisation in the cheese sector as well.

Would the Minister assure the House that he does intend to pursue an aggressive policy of trying to have these products manufactured in this country?

We will move on to the next question, No. 30.

Could I not have an answer to my supplementary?

A one syllable answer.

I answered that question. I have spoken to the concerns involved. I will be continuing to speak to them as I am aware of the necessity for diversification.