asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that farmers in the Wolfhill, Timahoe, Doonane and Killeshin areas, Leix, are in a serious plight, as they have lost almost all their live stock through disease; if he will state whether the Veterinary Section of his Department have caused this area to be inspected and the nature of the disease reported upon; also, the date on which his Department received notice of the circumstances that had arisen in this area, and the date of the inspection; and if he will further state what action it is proposed to take to obviate further losses of this kind, whether advice and assistance will be given by the Veterinary Section, and what compensation will be made available to those who have suffered these serious losses.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers - Leix Farmers' Losses.
I am aware that there have been losses of live stock in the areas mentioned in the Deputy's question, and from reports furnished by agricultural and veterinary officers it would appear that these losses are due to malnutrition and fluke infestation, aggravated, no doubt, by the recent severe weather. I understand that to a great extent the affected animals are not at present in a condition to enable veterinary treatment to be given to them, but so far as this can be done I see no reason why the local veterinary practitioners should not be able to afford the necessary attention. As previously indicated, I cannot undertake to compensate farmers in respect of losses of this kind.
Has the Minister received representations from the Leix County Committee of Agriculture requesting (1) that feeding stuffs be made available for the existing live stock and (2) that the Minister sympathetically consider giving these people a grant or loan, interest free, in order to enable them to re-stock their holdings?
The Minister has received representations or letters from this area as well as representations from a number of other areas in connection with these losses, which are, unfortunately, not confined to the particular area the Deputy has in mind.
Has the Minister received any request in the last week to receive a deputation consisting of the five Deputies from the constituency and is it a fact that he ignored that request and received only a Fianna Fáil Deputy with others who were available?
I have received requests to receive Deputies. Every member of the House is aware that I am available in my office to receive Deputies. I think it is most unfair for Deputy Davin to make the statement that I have in any way turned down that request.
Is it a fact that the Minister received further written representations from Deputies including myself, and that we have not got the courtesy of even an acknowledgment?
It is a fact that I received representations, but when I receive representations on a very important matter of this nature I have to get reports. The Deputy will realise I have to check the reports I am getting as to the losses suffered by farmers owing to the severe weather which they have experienced, and that it is not an easy matter to check up on these reports so as to put myself in the position to speak authoritatively on such matters.
Is it a fact——
That question is not on the Order Paper.
I have no objection.
The Chair has.
Am I not entitled to ask the Minister a supplementary question arising out of this question?
If it arises out of the question, yes.
Of course, it arises out of the question. I have not been here for 25 years without knowing something about what is relevant.
The Deputy should not attempt, directly or indirectly, to teach the Chair its business.
I will not be smothered by the Chair, at any rate.
Would the Minister say if he would be prepared to follow the lead given by the British and Northern Ireland Ministers of Agriculture and open a distress fund for the purpose of compensating these people? In view of the heavy losses of live stock, there must be a resultant loss of butter and beef. Would the Minister be prepared to lead in the matter, in view of the fact that such a fund would be very generously responded to?
Is the Minister aware that a number of firms, associations of cattle traders and others are willing to subscribe to a fund and are waiting for the Minister to take the lead? I know of two associations which are willing to do so and I have been in touch with some firms which are willing to subscribe pound for pound if the Government will give a lead. Further, is the Minister aware that numbers of farmers have lost their all?
I am conscious of what has been offered by the British and Northern Ireland Governments, but I must say that I do not regard it as a serious gesture to meet the situation in which these farmers who have suffered most find themselves.
The Minister must realise that the sole means of livelihood of these people has been taken away from them and that it is impossible for them to get back into their former positions.
The Minister realises the hardships that will be suffered by these farmers, but I repeat that I do not regard the gesture to which the Deputy has referred, and in which he apparently places some confidence, as a serious contribution to the alleviation of their distress.
In view of the serious plight of the farmers in my constituency, I give notice, Sir, that I shall raise this matter on the adjournment.
The matter in the question?
And matters arising out of it.