asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will examine the siting of the BTE office in County Cork with regard to having the office sited in more central areas of the county.

I am satisfied that Cork city is the most suitable location to serve the needs of the farmers in the county.

The purpose in setting up county offices is to centralise as far as possible all the Department's services in a single office in each county. This provides for greater co-ordination of local services and staff and enables farmers to conduct all their business with the Department in one location rather than having to travel to different offices for different schemes.

I accept most of the Minister's answers. However, there is a need for the BTE office to be resited in County Cork, as that county, has the largest dairy herd in the country.

The Deputy cannot make a speech.

In order to alleviate the hardship caused by farmers having to travel distances to these offices, would the Minister review the position and have them sited in three regional areas in County Cork?

I am conscious of the need to co-ordinate all the services in one office, but I have not a closed mind on that. We all appreciate that Cork is our largest county and this is something to which I will give consideration. I would not like to give any commitment or assurance here today.

If the Minister is to have the co-operation of the livestock producing community, it is important that these offices be conveniently sited.