asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that there is a danger that many tillage farmers will lay down their land in grass and employ less labour owing to uncertainty regarding the prices that will rule the corn markets next autumn; and, if so, if he will in the interests of tillage farming fix prices for oats and barley for the crops that are now being sown.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grain Prices.
I am not aware of the danger suggested by the Deputy, and I do not propose to fix prices for oats and barley of this year's harvest.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is the farmer going to get any guarantee for his work? Surely, after six years of an economic war and one year of the worst weather in living memory, the farmer should get something. Is the farmer going to be flogged to death? He should get something to put him in a position to give employment and to earn a liberal wage for himself and his family.