asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is now prepared to meet a deputation from the National Farmers Association.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Discussions with NFA.
40.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by the Taoiseach to Questions Nos. 2 and 3 by Deputies Cosgrave and Clinton.
Will the Minister say, if this nine-man deputation leaves the steps today, he will meet them tomorrow? Will he make a statement of that kind now in the House so that we may get somewhere?
My position and the position of the Government have, I think, been made crystal clear by the Taoiseach in reply to earlier questions.
The Taoiseach said it is the Minister's responsibility in the first instance and surely the Minister can decide how it can come about?
Does the Minister not appreciate the fact that the farmers may be tempted to resort to the same tactics as they adopted last year, of a no-rates campaign, in which case the Minister will immediately send for the farmers and do what he did before —beg them to give up the no-rates campaign because, otherwise, the local authorities will have to close down? Surely showing contempt for reasonable representatives of the agricultural community should not be allowed to go any further? Will the Taoiseach at this stage not advise the Minister in regard to this question of saying that a statement was made which asked for conditions to be agreed on before they would agree to call off the campaign, that it is unreasonable to ask the farmers to guarantee to call off the campaign, irrespective of whether or not the Minister is going to be allowed to give them a reasonable answer.
Arising further out of that——
I cannot allow this.
I do not see why you should rule me out of order.
The Deputy is not being ruled out of order.
I am trying to ask a reasonable question, not to create any trouble at all.
This matter has been discussed with the Taoiseach. Ten or eleven questions were asked and surely I cannot allow it to be reopened now on another question.
May I ask a question?
I have already given my decision. Question No. 41.
This is ridiculous.
41.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the first date on which he discontinued discussions with the NFA; and if he will circulate in the Official Report the full text of his announcement on the matter.
It is not correct to suggest that it is I who has discontinued discussions with the NFA. I cancelled one meeting because I considered that in the atmosphere which had been created it would do more harm than good. As I have already stated it has been and still remains my policy to work in the closest collaboration with farming organisations and as soon as the NFA indicate that they are prepared to resume normal co-operation and discussion in a constructive atmosphere, I shall be happy to meet them again.
Why does the Minister not go out and meet them?
Will the Minister state clearly the conditions on which he will meet them——
I have called Question No. 42.
——so that they will know as well as everybody else?
They are under no misapprehension as to the circumstances——
That is not answering the question.
They are under no misapprehension as to the circumstances in which I will be prepared to meet them. I have made that clear to the organisation and I have made it clear in this House.
They have not been stated.
Arising further out of that reply——
Question No. 42.
Arising further out of that reply, may I ask a question?
Question No. 42.