asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the alarming shortage of agricultural labour throughout the country and that farmers are compelled to till the highest quota for a century, i.e., 3,000,000 acres, with the lowest manpower yet available; if he is further aware that this shortage is partly due to the flight from the land to the higher wages to be secured in the city and on turf production; and, if so, if he will take steps to raise the level of agricultural wages and prices to that of industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Labour Shortage.
My information is that there is no serious shortage of agricultural labour. The remainder of the Deputy's question does not therefore arise.
Might I ask the Minister where he got that information?
From several sources.
They are not very reliable, I can assure you, and you know it.
Why has the Minister omitted to reply to the latter part of the Deputy's question?
If there is no shortage, surely it does not arise.
As to raising the level of agricultural wages to that of industrial workers?
Why did the Deputy put "if so" in his question?