Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I ask Mr. Gleeson to inform the committee when he has that proposal.

I will move to an important topic. As Mr. Callanan is here, it is important that we have the opportunity. I will be brief. There is a milk supply issue. Supply was down 4.1% in 2023. I have been given figures that it is down 9% so far in 2024. There is a significant drop in milk volume, to say the least. The knock-on implication for the farming community is a potential reduction in rural income of up to €500 million per year. Regarding production costs, our 58 or 59 plants have viability issues - they are huge in the industry. It could potentially go from 10 billion litres of milk down to 9 billion. The implications would be huge. What is the Department's vision regarding the fall in milk supply in the past 18 months in particular? There was the derogation issue and confidence issues - there have been huge issues regarding the industry. What is the strategic plan to look at the industry which will potentially see a reduction of €500 million going directly out of the rural economy compared with the figures of milk loss at the moment?

That is an easy one.