asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is intended that the Commission on Emigration, which he has appointed, should inquire into rural depopulation and the flight from the land; and, if so, whether he will consider appointing a number of farmers to the commission, in view of their intimate knowledge of the conditions that are the cause of these evils.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emigration Commission.
It is obvious from its terms of reference that the Commission on Emigration and other population problems will consider the matters referred to by the Deputy. As will have been observed from public announcements, the commission has now been formally appointed and is at work. I do not propose to add to its membership, which, I may say, was primarily determined, not along representational lines, but with a view to securing those whom I thought best qualified and experienced to deal, in an expeditious and workmanlike manner, with the various aspects and tremendous range of this subject. The best service that can be rendered by those who feel they have a useful contribution to make in the matter is to act on the commission's published invitation to submit evidence.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, I thought the Minister when in opposition had a remedy for emigration. Why is it necessary to set up a commission therefor?
There is one thing which is certainly clear in that supplementary and that is that you had none.
Where is yours?