asked the Taoiseach if he is aware that the Canadian immigration authorities have at present a commission sitting in Belfast to attract Northern Ireland agriculturists and agricultural workers to settle on Canadian farms; that the commission is making contracts with possible immigrants in the Republic; that several intending immigrants are crossing the Border for interview; and if he will make a statement on the matter; further, if he will state what steps he proposes to take to induce intending immigrants to remain at home in the Republic; finally, whether any representations have been made to the Canadian authorities in regard to their encouragement of emigration from the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emigration to Canada.
There is no Canadian Immigration Commission sitting in Belfast. There is, I understand, a Canadian Immigration Office in Belfast which gives information of a factual nature to inquirers regarding immigration to Canada, but does not operate outside the Six Counties. The remaining parts of the Deputy's question do not, therefore, arise.
It is a fact, in accordance with the publications in the daily papers, that representatives of the Canadian Government are in Belfast at the present time, and are in the Canadian Immigration Office. Quite a large number of farmers and theirwives, who have not sufficient land to live on in the Republic, and who cannot obtain larger holdings, are making inquiries about emigrating to Canada, where they are given very attractive holdings.
That is not a question.
I am asking the Taoiseach if he is aware of that.
The information I have is given in the reply.
The information is not in accordance with the facts, and if the Taoiseach makes inquiries——
We did make inquiries. There is no commission, as is suggested, in Belfast. All that is there is the office indicated.
I can give the Taoiseach information.
I wish the Deputy would, and that he would ask questions in accordance with any information he has.
There are quite a large number of farmers going.