asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will consider taking some initiatives to bring about the early re-opening of a number of meat processing plants in the country, with particular reference to County Kildare which has been severely hit by job losses in the last three years and where there are now two such plants closed with a loss of more than 600 jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The question of re-opening the two meat plants referred to by the Deputy is primarily a matter for the proprietors. My objective is to create the conditions in which cattle production can expand and the trading environment in which the meat factories can prosper and develop. With regard to the expansion of the cattle herd there are already a number of measures in operation such as the calved heifer scheme, the calf premium scheme and the suckler cow scheme, as well as the headage payments in the disadvantaged areas. As regards the trading situation, EEC export refunds now favour exports as beef rather than as live animals. Arising from the recent EEC price negotiations and this month's meeting of the Council of Agricultural Ministers the support price for beef is, of course, being increased by a total of over 14 per cent. This should have a further stimulating effect on cattle production and on factory throughput.

Having regard to the fluctuations which the meat processing industry has gone through during the past few years would it not be opportune at this time to meet with the various interests involved in the two plants in County Kildare mentioned in the question in order to ascertain whether it would be possible to work out some kind of long-term strategy for the meat processing industry? I accept what the Minister has said in relation to responsibility as far as the owners are concerned.

I have no objection to meeting the meat processors to discuss longterm plans. The two factories mentioned in the question are the IMP factory in Leixlip and Premier Meat Packers in Sallins. There are negotiations going on between the IMP management and the trade unions at present with a view to rationalising operations because the concern was losing a considerable amount of money. Similarly I believe the Premier Meat Packers plant was also incurring heavy losses. It was reported in the newspapers at the time of that closure that it would re-open in July and I hope it does.

Will the Minister give us a commitment that he will meet the people involved here? I would be very much afraid that a monopoly situation could emerge. I would ask the Minister to ensure that some of these plants will reopen this year to ensure that a monopoly does not take place in the meat business.

I will be only too glad to meet the representatives of the meat trade in general but I do not intend to get involved in individual discussions between unions and the owners of the plants involved. That is an internal matter.