asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he is aware that the British tariff on Irish cattle is causing continued distress among small farmers and under-nourishment of their children, and whether in his recent negotiations he put forward any proposals for a compromise with a view to the removal of the said tariff.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tariff on Irish Cattle.
The Deputy may feel assured that the Government is doing everything in its power, whether through international conversations or otherwise, to secure the well-being of all classes of the people.
If, in the second part of his question, however, he means by proposals for a compromise that the Government should be prepared to make proposals involving surrender to a system of economic reprisals intended to reduce our people to a position in which they would have to accept external political dictation, then the answer is definitely no.
Are we to understand from that answer that there is absolutely no cure for this tariff except the unconditional surrender of the British Government?
The Deputy evidently wishes the unconditional surrender of our Government.
The Deputy wishes nothing of the kind.
Then I do not see why he should make the further suggestion.
Compromise does not mean unconditional surrender.
In our case it would.
Why?
Because he says so.