asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has seen newspaper reports of a speech by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs in which the Minister states that the policy of compulsory tillage has been abandoned; and, if so, whether he will state when this change of policy took place.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Compulsory Tillage.
Mr. O'Higgins
Mr. Walsh
I have seen the newspaper reports referred to by the Deputy. Compulsory tillage was forced on the country as a result of the war and was continued subsequent to the cessation of hostilities on account of the general world conditions. In present circumstances and in the light of the experience gained by them over the past ten years, I am confident that farmers will produce the bulk of the country's requirements of bread grains and animal feeding stuffs without compulsion provided they secure an adequate financial return for their produce.
Could the Minister indicate, as asked by Deputy O'Higgins in his question, when the change of policy took place or when the Minister himself saw fit to depart from compulsory tillage?
Castlecomer.
Mr. Walsh
I am sure that the House realises that it was never the policy of Fianna Fáil to have compulsory tillage but that it was necessary during the emergency in order to produce food to save people like Deputy Flanagan from dying of starvation.
All Parties in the House agreed to it.
Will the Minister say whether the Deputy Walsh speaking in this House some very short time ago advocating compulsory tillage was different from the Deputy Walsh now occupying the Minister's seat?
Mr. Walsh
Provided that the policy then being pursued was going to be continued——
Deputy Flanagan is not in a position to train his own horses or go to the hunt. We know that. We did not know that the Minister when he was Deputy Walsh was training his own horses.
Deputy Keane should train his own horses.
The Minister was very reticent then.
Question No. 39.
Deputy Keane should look after them.
You could not look after a dying cat, you old Molly Maguire.