asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state whether he has received an invitation from the United Nations Organisation to send a Minister to a conference to be held next month to discuss the European food situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Food Situation.
The conference to which the Deputy is presumably referring is not to be convened by the United Nations but by the Emergency Council for Europe, and is, so far as is at present known, to be confined to the members of that council. The members are Britain, the United States, Belgium, Holland, Norway, France, Greece, Turkey and Luxemburg.
Does the Taoiseach not think that, in view of the gravity of the world food situation, this country might make special representation to be present at that conference, we being one of the few countries of Europe, if not the only country, which has an agricultural surplus to export? The Taoiseach is aware that we may see a terrible tragedy in the shape of world famine unfolded before our eyes in the coming year, and we would all like to feel that this country had done, apart from what it has already done, everything it could do to avert that situation.
Our existence, I take it, is known. Those immediately responsible know of our existence, and, if they thought we would be of any value in the matter, we would be invited.
It is a pity that we have not been invited to that conference, but, as we have not been invited, perhaps the Taoiseach might make special representation in view of the world famine which threatens?
I am afraid I do not see any point in making these representations.
If we are invited, we will gladly send a representative.
I do not know. I would require to know more about what is proposed to be done by this conference before I could say that.
It would be to our interest.
The Taoiseach is aware of the exportable surplus of cattle which we have. Could some bargain not be made for extra fertilisers and animal feeding-stuffs ?
The Deputy may be sure that the Minister for Agriculture has not waited until now to look after matters of that sort.