asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the farming community, without distinction of politics, feel that there is not an equitable distribution of the burden of the economic war as they believe that they are being forced to pay twice; if he will take steps to set up a tribunal under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921, to investigate and report on the farmers' claim for equitable treatment and to suggest means of placing the burden equally on all classes, and if he will take steps to have the execution of decrees by the sheriff suspended pending the report of such tribunal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Incidence of Economic War.
I do not agree that the facts are as stated in the first part of the Deputy's question. I do not accept the Deputy's suggestion that the farming community are being treated inequitably and I do not propose to take any steps to set up a tribunal of the kind suggested.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, will he deny that the farming community supporting his own Party has put requests to him on substantially those lines? In this question, I did not ask the Minister to accept my view, expressed in the question, as to what portion of the burden the farming community was bearing, but I put it to him that it was the belief of the farming community, and that it is worth hearing their case. I do not want him to accept anything, but to provide machinery to give the farming community—the largest section of the entire nation—the chance and the right of being heard on a matter on which they consider that they have a distinct grievance. I do not want him to accept that they have a grievance, but when there is such unanimity, regardless of political differences, that they are bearing an unjust burden, I would again ask the Minister if he would reconsider his answer and say that he is even now prepared to grant this tribunal.
Question No. 17.
I wish to give notice that as I have not had a satisfactory reply from the Minister, I intend to raise this matter on the adjournment.