asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the depressed state of agriculture at the present time; and what action he intends to take to provide the farmers with a decent living.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Condition of Agriculture.
25.
I would refer the Deputy to my speech in this House on 11th May, 1966 on the Estimate for Agriculture and in particular to the part of it which is recorded in Volume 222, No. 9, Cols. 1496 to 1500, of the Official Debates.
Is the Minister aware that in order to exist, farmers have to work for 70 to 80 hours a week, that they are responsible for 75 per cent of our exports and that at this time last year, they only got 20 per cent of the national income? Further, surely he realises that due to the fact that they cannot exist and earn a decent living, decent, respectable, law-abiding citizens have been——
This is a speech by way of question.
I asked the Minister "Was he aware".
That does not make a question out of a speech.
The Deputy will have an opportunity to make a speech on the Estimate.
Question No. 26.
That is not answering the question. The Minister has no answer.
The Deputy will have an opportunity to cut the calves' throats again.