asked the Minister for Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the serious drop in Irish tobacco output and to the fact that this year the output is only six acres, and that the growers have declined to six; and, if so, whether he will take steps to stimulate tobacco growing by introducing some special scheme of encouragement for all interested in the production of this crop.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tobacco Growing.
Mr. Walsh
I am aware that Irish tobacco output has declined.
The Tobacco Act, 1934, under which growers of tobacco are guaranteed a reasonable return for the crop, remainsin operation, and I do not propose to introduce alternative arrangements.
God be with the days when we were going to grow all the tobacco this country required. It is like a scheme the Tánaiste would start.
Does the Minister not consider it very serious that the output of Irish tobacco has declined to such an extent that only six tobacco producers remain? Does the Minister not consider that this alone would merit an amendment to the Tobacco Act to which he referred?
Mr. Walsh
I know the farmers are not very anxious to grow tobacco.
Does the Minister not consider that some little encouragement might give some good results?
Is this Fine Gael policy?
No, this is Fianna Fáil policy since 1932 and, indeed, a silly policy it was.