asked the Minister for Agriculture what the prospects are for the store cattle trade; and whether some recovery in price and demand may be expected, and, if so, when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Trade Prospects.
8.
As I stated in the course of my reply to a question by the Deputy on 21st October, those with long and wide experience of the trade appear to be satisfied that the prospects for the cattle trade are reasonably satisfactory. That is still the position, and, while I cannot prophesy, I note that prices of store cattle in recent weeks, while certainly not at a high level, have been closer to last year's prices than was the case in previous months and that shipments of store cattle have increased.
Is the Minister aware of the feelings of small farmers in the West of Ireland, and in Cavan and Monaghan, who have store cattle on hands and cannot get for them, this day of the year, what they paid for them nearly 12 months ago? Can the Minister hold out any hope that possibly in the new year, if they would carry on until January or February, there might be some improvement which would at least enable them to get out without loss. Many of them cannot pay rates and other charges are being pressed upon them.
I have a fair idea of the problems of such people but I want to assure the House that it is not my function to engage in this act of making prophecies as to what the early spring may hold so far as the cattle trade is concerned. I can only give, as I have given, a general indication of what those who are well qualified to form an opinion and a judgment think. I am afraid we will have to leave the decision to the farmers and the holders of the stock having regard to their capacity to store and feed them.
As in certain areas in the country the sheriff's bailiffs go to collect the rates, and they are seizing property on foot of the rates because the people cannot sell their cattle, would the Minister consider recommending to the Minister for Local Government that at least until the end of February levies should not be made for rates in order to give these people a chance?
That is a separate question.
I had some responsibility for rate problems and rate collections, but I have no such responsibility now. I suggest, as the Chair has indicated, that perhaps this matter might be raised with another Minister.
Would the Minister not raise it himself? He is Minister for Agriculture; I am not. God be with the days when I was. Is the Minister aware that, if I were Minister for Agriculture, I would have taken this matter up with Deputy O'Donnell long since? Would the Minister do as much with his colleague?
What about 1956 when the price of beef was under 80/-?
You tried to stampede the farmers.
I am talking about 1959.
What about 1956——
The Minister for Transport and Power tried to stampede the farmers.
A Deputy
Deputy Major de Valera could tell you about it.
80/- or less per cwt.——
I told them to hold on.
Question No. 9.
We did not send the Broy Harriers after the rate collectors. The ten fields of inspectors.
You told them not to sell under £6 and they did not get £4.
Did the Broy Harriers go to Deputy Lynch?
We know nothing about the Broy Harriers on this side of the House.
(Interruptions.)
The Chair has called Question No. 9 and the Minister might be allowed to answer.
I am waiting for a hearing.
It was just as hard for Deputy Dillon when he was in the Minister's place. There were 17 or 18 people shouting.
I was the quietest Deputy in the House except on one or two occasions and I have been here for 30 years.
9.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if the export and agricultural statistics reveal that in recent years this country has been exporting more cattle than have been produced; if there has been a tendency to export animals of lighter weight resulting in a lower tonnage of cattle exports for the same number of cattle; and if he will make a statement regarding the likely trend of cattle exports in the immediate future.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 31——
How could we be dealing with No. 31 when we are at No. 9?
No. 31 yesterday. I shall go back and read it again.
We should like the Minister to do that.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 31——
No, Question No. 8.
It is to-day's Questions the Minister is answering.
The Minister should realise we did not get to Question 31 yesterday because the Minister for Health held us up.
He had co-operation in that.
May I repeat the answers once more?
The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative.
The answer to the second part of the Question is in the affirmative.
As regards the third part of the Question, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 8 by Deputy Dillon to-day, in the course of which I mentioned that those with long and wide experience appear to be satisfied that the prospects for the cattle trade are reasonably satisfactory.