asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will ensure that any milk offered under the proposed EC milk cessation scheme will be retained within the country.

In the negotiations on this scheme my objective will be to achieve the best possible result for the Irish milk industry.

The Minister will be aware that there was also a clause in the agreement made two years ago giving a firm assurance that there would be no reduction in Ireland's milk quota. Will the Minister be seeking implementation of that clause?

I have already quoted that clause in the initial discussions on this EC milk cessation scheme. Those discussions are at a very preliminary stage. I anticipate that they will go on for a considerable number of months. These are only proposals. There has been no real hard discussion as yet.

Is the Minister aware that the implementation of that proposal would have a catastrophic effect on this country? We will be looking to him to insist on the implementation of this clause.

I shall be glad of the Deputy's support in the ensuing discussions. I need it.

It is readily available.