asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state what are his plans for the absorption into other suitable employment of those engaged in the enforcement of compulsory tillage for a number of years past.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Alternative Employment for Tillage Inspectors.
In the confident hope that, under God's providence, the international Communist conspiracy to prevent world recovery and disturb international peace will fail, I do not anticipate any necessity for the employment of 250 inspectors to compel the farmers of Ireland to discharge their ordinary duties as farmers or as Irishmen in the foreseeable future. As essential supplies of maize, wheat, fertilisers and machinery become available through the princely generosity of our American friends under the Marshall Plan, I know that our agricultural output will embark on a period of profitable expansion, provided that those who live and work upon the land are permitted once again to call their souls their own. The tillage inspectors whose services will no longer be required will in some cases revert to their previous occupations in the Irish Land Commission or other Department from which they are at present seconded to my Department, in others their services will be eagerly sought and well rewarded in the expansion of agricultural output which will develop over the next five years. If any of their number should find difficulty in securing suitable employment, it will be the earnest concern of my Department to assist in every possible way in placing them in suitable positions where their special qualifications can be fully availed of. I take this opportunity of saying that, with a possible rare exception, these temporary officers of my Department have served the State loyally and efficiently, and that such strictures as may have been passed upon them should be clearly understood to have attached to the duties prescribed by Oireachtas Éireann for performance by them, and not to the inspectors individually, who ordinarily discharged the often distasteful obligations of their positions with an uncomplaining sense of duty which is the proud hallmark of the Civil Service which this country is so exceptionally fortunate in having to serve her.