Mr. Denis Murphy:

Senator O'Neill asked a number of questions. On the future of liquid milk, it is seriously vulnerable at present. There is no dependency in relation to Northern Ireland milk. Deputy Ó Cuív referred to this as well. The Northern Ireland milk could be gone in six months' time. If the position worsens in the United Kingdom, that milk supply could drift over, across the Irish Sea, into the United Kingdom and could be stopped from us. To date, the liquid milk producers in the State have given enough cover in the wintertime. That is part of their commitment. However, their confidence is waning because of the losses they have incurred on their farms.

I was asked about the figure of 10%. The 10% figure is the proportion of the total production of milk in the State that goes into the liquid milk trade. The 20% figure is the cover from registered milk producers for milk supplies in the liquid trade during the winter months. That might clarify that point.

I also was asked how the code of conduct might be funded.