asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defensive Measures if a strike notice and manifesto signed by the President and General Secretary of the Irish Farmers' Federation and sent to the three Dublin daily papers and the Cork Examiner for insertion in last Saturday's issues were suppressed by the Censor; and, if so, if he will give the reason for the suppression of these advertisements.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farmers' Strike Notice and Manifesto.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The manifesto and advertisement were prejudicial to the public safety; they were designed to interfere with the provision of supplies essential to the life of the community.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is the Minister aware that the total suppression of information and news in connection with this strike and the point blank refusal to allow the farmers to state their case, have caused widespread indignation amongst the farming community and have caused an embittered feeling in the matter which will tend to prevent a speedy settlement of the dispute and to prolong the difficulty? Is the Minister also aware that the Press is still severely muzzled in connection with the matter and that no reports favourable to the farmers' side of the case are allowed to be published? Also, is the Minister not aware that it is a disgraceful abuse of the Government's emergency powers to use them to prevent the Irish Farmers' Federation from presenting their case to the people?
In reply to the Deputy's speech, I want to say that if any organisation or individual goes beyond the bounds and makes statements or does acts which are prejudicial to the public safety, they will have to be stopped.
Does the Minister consider that the manifesto issued by the Irish Farmers' Federation did in any way prejudice public safety? The manifesto simply states—
The Deputy may not read any manifesto or corresdence at Question Time.
The question has been already answered.