asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that harvesting operations in County Leix were at a standstill as a result of a number of farmers' tractors being seized by the sheriff in respect of unpaid drainage rates; and whether, in view of the importance of agricultural machinery being fully employed at the present time, he will consider taking steps with a view towards securing that such machinery will not be among goods which may be seized.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Seizure of Tractors.
My information is that only one tractor in Leix was seized by the sheriff in respect of unpaid drainage rates and that it was redeemed by the owner after a few days. I do not consider that action on my part is called for.
Is the Minister aware, in view of the urgency for farmers to take part in the drive for food production, that in this case the man had his tractor unyoked in the field and that 11 men were allowed to leave the field at 12 o'clock while the bailiffs removed the blinder? Is that not a deplorable state of affairs? Does the Minister propose taking any action in the future to prevent agricultural implements, which are urgently required for the land, from being seized?
As I have told the Deputy, this tractor was redeemed after a few days. If those people were advised to pay their rates promptly this thing would not have occurred.
I say that they had no business to take the binder from the man.
That is not a question.
People have no business to advise them to do otherwise than to pay their rates.
Is the Minister aware that this man had 60 cattle and four horses on his holding, and that they went to the field and took the binder, leaving the stock there?
He had cash, anyway, when he paid up.
With the permission of the Chair, I propose to raise this matter on the motion for the Adjournment.