asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether he has any proposals to increase the food supply during the coming year; and if he will state what are the prospects of increased supplies of wheat and potatoes becoming available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - The Food Supply.
As the Deputy is aware, compulsory tillage to the same extent as in 1945 has been maintained for the 1946 season. Every effort is being made by my Department to encourage farmers to expand their programme over and above the quota requirements. At regional joint meetings of county committees of agriculture recently held at Limerick, Roscommon and Dublin I have urged the need for still more production, and have emphasised the importance of the wheat and potato crops.
As regards future prospects, there is nothing I can usefully add to the statement broadcast by the Taoiseach on the 9th of this month.
As the Minister has referred to the Taoiseach's statement appealing for the increased food production, would it be possible for him to arrange that in any future statement of an important nature Parliament should be first acquainted ?
That is a separate question.
When the Taoiseach or any Minister makes a statement outside the House, and when a Deputy is referred to such a statement, is there any official record of it before the House when it is made as a broadcast or otherwise? How are we to get such statements if we have not the pleasure and the privilege of listening to them, especially if they apply to food supplies ? I think such statements and similar documents should be placed on the Table of the House for every Deputy to see them.
It would be unwise if every word that a Minister said had to be laid on the Table of the House.
In reference to the Minister's statement concerning the Taoiseach's broadcast to which I referred, what is to happen if there is not a record of it before the House, in case I have no means of hearing what was said?
I refer the Deputy to the morning newspapers of the following day.
Why not put an official copy of it on the Table of the House ? I think Parliament is the place for it. Our food supply is not so safe and we want to know what is being done to safeguard it.
The Minister does not always accept newspaper reports of his speeches.
With regard to this matter, and as to what should be laid before the House, it is quite obvious that there are statements which Ministers have to make from time to time on various subjects which are not ones that would ordinarily come before the House. If any Deputy has any question to raise about them, there is a way of doing so.
I have been already referred to the Taoiseach's broadcast. Where are we to see it or to get an opportunity of raising what Ministers say outside the House?
By putting down a question.