Does the Minister agree that the apparent inactivity in his Department and the Minister's attempt in his reply to pass the buck to another Department all giving rise to a situation where the co-ops are going out of existence and the type of work available in the industry is being reduced to what is generally known as yellow pack work. This work is not done by workers but by a type of contractor, and without all the protections required. Would the Minister not agree that it is time for his Department to take measures to protect the co-operatives and the workers and that he should not pass the buck?

I do not agree with the thesis of Deputy Stagg in relation to the development of the food industry, particularly the co-operatives. We have here some of the most progressive co-operatives in Europe. For example, Kerry Co-op are not alone active in Ireland but in Europe and in the United States as well. So are a number of the other co-operatives. At no time in the history of the State have we had such a progressive and aggressive co-operative industry. We had recently some well publicised and highlighted activities of co-operatives and private industries——

Westmeath, for example.

——which is a different matter altogether. Essentially, I am quite satisfied that our co-operatives are well able to take care of themselves in the competitive environment which now exists.