asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the growing demand among farmers for derating of agricultural land and farm buildings, as being the most practical incentive to the restocking of farms and the expansion of live stock and tillage production; and, if so, whether in view of the depressed state of agriculture and the slump in farming production, he will ask the Agricultural Commission for an interim report at the earliest possible opportunity on the matter of derating.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Derating of Agricultural Land.
While I am, of course, aware of the demand for the derating of agricultural land and farm buildings, I am not aware that the case has been established that derating is the most practical incentive to the restocking of farms and the expansion of live stock and tillage production.
The Agricultural Commission has been appointed to consider and make recommendations as to the measures which it might be practicable and in the national interest to take for the purpose of promoting and maintaining increased agricultural production. I do not consider it necessary to ask the commission for an interim report at the earliest possible opportunity on the matter of derating. It is open to the commission to present such a report if they so think fit.
Does the Minister really not think that it is more necessary to derate agricultural land and buildings now than it was before the 1932 election when they promised the people that if returned to power they would derate all agricultural land?
The Deputy perhaps does not remember his history properly.
That was only a statement, not a promise.
It was an ex parte statement.
I hope the Minister is not backing up the Minister for Local Government and Public Health when he said that farming is a paradise, that the farmer is monarch of all he surveys and can take his holidays without giving notice to anybody.
With regard to derating, halving the land annuities was a much bigger benefit to the farmers than derating.