asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state what exactly was said by the Irish Ambassador in his speech in Manchester to which Deputy Dillon referred in the Dáil on the 19th March, Official Reports, column 2202, Volume 129, No. 14, in view of the Deputy's assertion that the statement was the opposite of the truth and that such statements can do the economic life of our country very material damage.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ambassador's Manchester Speech.
Whatever Deputy Dillon may have heard or may not have heard as to what the Irish Ambassador said in Manchester on the 24th February, there was certainly nothing in his speech which could give even the most flimsy excuse for the slanderous statement made by Deputy Dillon regarding it.
The Ambassador based his speech on articles in the December number of Studies which reviewed the material progress here between 1921 and 1951. He pointed out that in spite of a great deal of thought and hard work and a great variety of schemes to encourage and improve production, the fact remained that since 1921 there had been no increase in the output of agriculture commensurate with the great increase in industrial development, fuel and power production, international trade and sea communications, etc.
What was the reason for this, he stated, was difficult to say, and as he was not an expert he would not venture any opinion. One thing, however, was certain, he said: the standard of living of the Irish farmer was much higher to-day than it was ever before. He gave some particulars regarding rural electrification, growth in the use of tractors, etc., and pointed to a spirit of scientific interest and economic awareness among farmers which was a very important augury for the future. The Ambassador did not say anything even remotely approaching the statement that "agricultural output is the same to-day as it was 50 years ago". Indeed, it was in Ireland that this statement was made and by Deputy Dillon's former colleague, Deputy Norton.
Hear, hear!
Nothing was said about the economic war.