Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With the concentration of liquid milk among the five largest processors, there is a question about year-round supply. I presume these five processors are also engaged in manufacturing. They have a supply of milk coming in and, with capacity demands, they must incentivise people to produce at off-peak times for manufacturing and for liquid milk. Does that assist the National Milk Agency in trying to secure supply all year round?

Twenty-five percent of milk sold in Ireland is imported. Is there any breakdown available on the data? How much of the milk originated in the Republic of Ireland and was then transported to a processor in Northern Ireland before being packaged and sold in the Republic? We have all heard about one particular supply group in the south east that has switched supplier to a company in the North. Does that form part of the 25% figure?