asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the large number of people who left the land last year and of the depressed state and poor income of the people still on the land; and what action he intends to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Income from Farming.
42.
While an estimate of the number of persons at work in agriculture in 1966 is not yet available the preliminary indications are that the fall in the numbers engaged between 1965 and 1966 was substantially lower than in the previous year. The movement of workers out of agriculture is common to all European countries and its extent is influenced by a variety of factors including the demand for labour in the non-agricultural sectors. I do not agree with the Deputy's description of conditions in agriculture. Farm income in recent years, despite occasional setbacks, has been rising steadily. The Government have provided a comprehensive programme of assistance and support of the agricultural industry and will take any further measures within the limit of the resources available to it which may seem to be necessary from time to time.
Is the Minister aware that we have already been informed by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach that over 105,000 people have been driven off the land of Ireland during the past ten years through deliberate Government policy and, furthermore, is he aware that the farmers——
(Interruptions.)
Chair, Chair. Now we know something about mob law in the Minister for Justice.
Is the Minister aware that the farmers are responsible for 75 per cent of our exports? In 1959 they got 29 per cent of the national income. Last year it dropped to less than 20 per cent. Has the Taoiseach any plan, or the Minister any plan, or policy——
(Interruptions.)
Has the Young Pretender or the Minister against Agriculture any policy to increase the income of the farmers before they are all driven off the land of Ireland?
They drove the Deputy off the land.
I sold one farm and bought another one. The Minister for Agriculture has his hen houses let at the present time because there is no money in eggs.
(Interruptions.)
It is entirely incorrect to talk of anybody being driven off.
I am calling Question No. 43.
It is entirely incorrect to talk of anybody being driven off the land. There is in this country, as in every other country in Europe, a movement of people out of agriculture, for a variety of reasons.
So the Minister for Transport and Power says.
In fact, in Great Britain and in many European countries, there is a positive policy by governments to encourage people to leave agriculture.
(Cavan): What about the statement of the Taoiseach last night on the subject?
We do not accept in this country that that policy, which has been accepted by many European countries, is correct. It is our policy that anybody who wishes to remain in agriculture can avail of comprehensive structural schemes and services to enable him to earn a satisfactory standard of living in farming. However, we have to recognise that as society develops, a number of people, for a variety of reasons, will wish to leave agriculture, and this process is taking place in this country as in every other country in Europe.
May I inquire from the Minister if he considers his present attitude of allowing them to sit on the steps of his Department an incentive to farmers to increase their production?
I suggest that they would be helping production to a much greater extent if they were at home on their farms.
They would be there if the Minister would meet them.
The Minister for fish and chips.