asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, with a view to resuming direct negotiations with the flax-spinners' association, he will bring the Flax Act, 1936, back into force.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flax Negotiations.
Mr. Walsh
No. It is not my intention to revive this Act, and there is no ground for the implication that it is necessary or desirable to do so in order to negotiate with the flaxspinners' association.
Is the Minister aware that just now in the flax market there is a conflict as to what price is going to be paid, that it is common knowledge that a demand for flax exists, which did exist some months ago but was not brought to light for purposes best known to the people themselves, that the flax price has been allowed to slump and is now beginning to rise and if this arises through any lack of co-operation or co-ordination in flax sales or markets between the flax-spinners' and the flax millers' association?
Do you not think, Sir, that we ought to inquire of theMinister for Agriculture as to whether it was due to any laches on his part that he allowed the market of which Deputy Blaney speaks to mature and develop to the advantage of the Northern Ireland spinners, while a slump in the price of flax was allowed to transpire in the Republic of Ireland? I am sure my colleague. Deputy Mrs. Rice, will have a word to join with mine in remonstrating with the Minister in respect of this laches on his part.
As the flaxsowing season is now, or will shortly be at hand, would the Minister indicate what are the prospects of securing a market for flax this year?
Mr. Walsh
The Minister has no function whatever in this matter. The association of flax-growers themselves negotiated last year. They are looking after their own business and I do not propose to interfere with them.
Has the Minister any function in anything?
No function in regard to chickens, in regard to eggs, in regard to flax or in regard to barley.
And when those fellows were on this side you would imagine they would pull the devil off Croagh Patrick.