asked the Taoiseach whether he is aware that many farmers suffered very serious loss due to the seizure of their stock when they were unable to pay their land annuities because of the economic war; that the property was sold indiscriminately and in most inappropriate lots, resulting in the sacrifice of the farmers' interests to those of the buyers; and, if so, whether he will have an inquiry made into the various transactions concerned and arrange to compensate those farmers who were badly treated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Seizure of Farmers' Stock.
While I, naturally, have the greatest sympathy with any farmers who suffered serious loss on account of the seizure of their stock for the non-payment of land annuities during the economic war, I am afraid that it would be quite impracticable at this stage, after the lapse of so many years, to have an inquiry made into the various transactions concerned with a view to the payment of compensation to any farmers who did, in fact, suffer loss. Many hardships and injustices were suffered by decent men during that disastrous period, but, in existing circumstances, it is hoped that the increasing prosperity of the agricultural industry will be shared by those who so seriously suffered.
Is the Taoiseach not aware that because of the losses a number of farmers suffered on that occasion they were not in a position to get back into production and enjoy the prosperity that has taken place? I think also that the Taoiseach was of opinion that the seizures under the 1933 Act were in many cases used as punitive measures against the farmers.
Apply to the British Government. They were fighting Britain's battle(Interruptions.)
Can the Taoiseach say that he himself was in no small way responsible for the sufferings of the farmers on certain——(Interruptions.)
Can the Taoiseach say if those farmers were morally bound to pay their annuities? (Interruptions.)
For the information of Deputies, I want to put it on record that I did not hear a single word of what was said by the Deputies who have last spoken, Deputies Davern and Hilliard.