asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will consider giving special consideration to County Dublin dairy farmers under the tillage exemption Order, as hardship has been experienced by dairy farmers who have been compelled to cultivate the full quota, necessitating in some cases the disposal of the herds.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Dairy Farms.
The position of dairy cow keepers relative to the tillage Order has been considered on many occasions. It has not, however, been found possible to devise any scheme of relief which would not lend itself to large-scale evasions of the tillage Order and a consequent serious reduction in the volume of food production. The maxim of one more cow, one more sow, and one more acre under the plough still holds good, and, allowing for special circumstances of County Dublin dairy farmers, it is still true that better winter feeding on homegrown fodder would solve many difficulties.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, would he not consider favourably each case on its merits in the same way as the previous Minister did?
I certainly would not. It is no part of the duty of a Minister of this Government to judge each individual case on its merits. The law courts are there for that specific purpose. The function of a Minister is to administer the law as passed by Oireachtas Éireann and not to make laws himself.
Even in cases of hardship?