asked the Minister for Agriculture if he can state what steps have been taken to set up an agricultural costings section in his Department and also what progress has been made in the investigation of farmers' costings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Costings.
The question of the most suitable costings system to be adopted for the purpose in this country is at present under consideration and until this has been settled the investigation of farmers' costings cannot be commenced.
Is the Minister aware that his predecessor in January last year gave a definite undertaking that an independent tribunal would be set up to investigate farming costings and that afterwards he changed his mind and in October last year gave a very definite undertaking that a costings section would be set up in the Department of Agriculture? Farmers are very anxious that this costings body should be in operation at the earliest possible date, because from time to time and very frequently farmers are being misrepresented and being represented as obtaining prices——
The Deputy is making a speech as a Supplementary Question.
Can the Minister state definitely that a costings section will be set up?
I have no doubt that, in the circumstances then obtaining, my predecessor did what he thought was best. In regard to the second part of the Supplementary Question, the answer is no, I cannot.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.