Mr. Denis Murphy:

A question also was raised regarding a Donegal creamery. The position is the agency's inspectors can inspect every liquid milk plant in the State, even those which are not registered with the agency. They are able to determine whether the milk is being imported in bulk or what is the position. Consequently, we have full knowledge in that area. However, to provide additional information to members, the position is that one quarter of the milk being produced in Northern Ireland is coming into the State. Since 1993, the milk supply in Northern Ireland has increased by 50%, whereas the milk supply in the Republic has increased by approximately 3%. Moreover, 80% of that increased supply in Northern Ireland is coming down here either for processing by creameries within the State or into the liquid milk trade. This puts together the picture for members but I reiterate we know exactly what is coming in. The one that can be more difficult for us to track is what is arriving in the form of packaged liquid milk, but we are getting co-operation from processors on that.