asked the Minister for Agriculture if, having regard to his statement in Dáil Eireann, that he will not press for the growing of wheat on any land that he considers unsuitable, he will now state what steps he is taking to ascertain what land is unsuitable; and if the owners of such land will be notified, in due time, that they are not required to grow the full wheat quota.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat Growing—Suitability of Land.
It is not proposed, and it would not be practicable at this stage, to arrange for special inspections to ascertain what land is unsuitable for wheat. The procedure I intend to follow in this respect is that which I outlined in my reply to a question by Deputy Giles on 12th February last.
Is the Minister aware that he definitely stated, in reply to a question by me three weeks ago, that he would not press anybody, whose land is unsuitable, to grow wheat? I want to ask him what a farmer is to do if his land is unsuitable for the growing of wheat when he is ordered to grow a certain quota? Is there anybody, from the Minister down to his humblest official, to whom that farmer can appeal to have his land inspected so as to find out whether he would be penalised if he did not grow wheat?
The local Fianna Fáil club. Where else?
On more than one occasion I have made my attitude clear. If the Deputy has not been able to follow it I cannot help it.
Might I ask the Minister if he is aware that it is not a question of a Deputy not being able to follow the Minister's procedure but that there is no farmer in the country who knows what the position in regard to wheat is? No farmer knows whether he is going to be compelled to grow his full quota or not. I have dozens of cases in mind of farmers on hilly land where the wheat failed for the past three or four years. There is documentary evidence to prove that.
Let them pay their shilling and it will be all right.