asked the Minister for Agriculture if it is his intention to continue meetings of the consultative council set up by his predecessor, and, if so, if he will call an early meeting to discuss urgent agricultural matters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Consultative Council.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the Agricultural Production Council which was established last year. I have in mind to hold meetings of that council as and when the need for such meetings becomes apparent. Since the idea of an Agricultural Production Council was first conceived, however, certain changes have taken place. In addition to the frequent meetings which are held on a variety of subjects with the various farming organisations, I am about to set up an advisory committee on the marketing of agricultural produce, on which the various organisations concerned will be represented. In the case of bovine tuberculosis, special representative committees are being set up on a county basis, and discussions have also taken place with the Special Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Committee appointed by farming and rural organisations.
What new development has taken place which renders it inexpedient to allow this production council to meet once a month, as was originally proposed?
If the Deputy studies my reply I think he will see that the various considerations are noted in it.
I listened attentively and heard that the Minister had appointed a whole series of committees since the new Government took office, a harmless kind of activity, but is that any reason why the production council, representative, so far as I know, of all agricultural organisations in the country, should not be allowed to meet the Minister once a month, or once every two months, so as to hear what he has to say and to submit to him what they have to say about current problems, or does the Minister think that the idea of a production council is unnecessary?
I am afraid the Deputy's supplementary question discloses that he did not hear or did not understand the reply.
I heard distinctly and understood perfectly.
Then he heard that I had in mind to hold meetings with that council, the production council, about which he asks the question, as and when needed for such matters.
Exactly. My question is why will he not hold them at the regular intervals originally envisaged in the plan which was, in my time, once a month? If that should prove too frequent for the present Minister could he not hold them once every two months? The object was to allow a body representative of all agricultural organisations in the country to meet the Minister at regular intervals when they might put to the Minister what they wanted to put to him and so that the Minister might have an opportunity of discussing informally with them the topics that he wanted to discuss. My net question is: why has the Minister abolished the element of regularity in the meetings?
That is another question.
That is the supplementary question.
It is not the supplementary question. They will meet as and when required and I have shown the Deputy that many other organisations have been set up.
On the Kathleen Mavourneen system.