asked the Minister for Agriculture the steps he is taking to provide milk quotas to farmers in financial difficulties, new entrants to milk production, who acted on his advice, and young farmers; and if he will make a statement on the whole issue of milk quotas.

For 1984-85 provision was made for these categories of producers out of the "flexi-milk" available within co-operatives and dairies. Having consulted the farming and co-operative organisations I am now considering whether any changes need to be made in these arrangements for 1985-86. I will be making an announcement in this matter shortly.

Would the Minister agree that there are huge numbers of people in the categories mentioned who have not been accommodated in the past year? Would he like today to give me the headings of any proposals he may have to accommodate these people?

I cannot give the Deputy headings in this regard but I instigated discussions about two months ago with the farming organisations and the co-operative movement in the hope that we could come to a permanent arrangement to cater for new entrants. Those discussions have progressed quite well but have not been finalised. I am not in a position to disclose anything until they have been finalised. I am concerned that permanent provision be made for new entrants and am aware that there is a problem in certain areas, particularly in west Cork and in parts of Kerry and Wexford. I have met several representative groups of new entrants and have discussed the problem with them.

Is the Minister aware that dairy farmers are now preparing for next year, particularly for the first three months of the year, and that because of this the question is very urgent? Can he tell us if he will have the proposals before us within the next week?

Yes, I am so aware. I hoped that a voluntary agreement would have been reached by now and I definitely hope that agreement will be reached within the next few weeks.