asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in regard to any future milk cessation scheme, he will ensure that the milk offered under such a scheme will remain within the country.

While the Commission has indicated that they intend to submit proposals for a Community-wide milk cessation scheme before November next, none has emerged to date. In the negotiations on any such proposals my objective will be to achieve the best possible result for the Irish milk industry.

Would the Minister not agree that there is widespread concern in the dairy industry regarding the EC proposals? Would he not think it prudent to have formulated a nationally-funded cessation scheme to retain milk within the country?

Whatever may have been reported is purely speculation. No firm proposals have been put forward by the Commission. They did state their intention some months ago to put forward proposals before 1 November next, but as yet nothing has been produced.