asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he has reason to anticipate an improved price for cattle; and, if so, if he will indicate for the benefit of farmers when he anticipates such price may improve.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Prices.
7.
A seasonal recovery in cattle prices normally commences in the last few weeks of the calendar year and carries on into the late spring. I think it is reasonable to expect that the usual seasonal recovery in prices will take place in the coming months.
Can the Minister give any indication as to what he considers the amount of that increase will be, in the light of the fact that there has been a considerable fall in the price of cattle in recent months?
A reasonable recovery.
Could the Minister indicate to the House and for the benefit of Irish farmers what interpretation can be put on the word "reasonable"?
If I thought the Deputy's query was put in the interest of the Irish farmer, and not for other reasons, I should endeavour to do so.
On what basis does the Minister assume that cattle prices will increase for the small farmer? At the present time, the small farmer cannot sell his cattle. The prices are worse than they were even during the Economic War. They have fallen a further £5 per head since the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries told the farmers, one month ago, to keep their cattle.
The Deputy knows quite well what I said and what I meant by what I said. His assertions about a fall in prices and the Economic War do not make sense and there is no point in his talking in that way.
Is the Minister aware that small farmers who got £40 for one and a half year old cattle last year are being bid £12 and £15 for the same type of cattle in the south of Ireland at present, with the result that the small farmer will be annihilated?
The Deputy is fully aware that those who buy cattle very often bid much less than they are prepared to go: nobody knows that better than Deputy L'Estrange.
Has the Minister no regard for the small farmer? Does he intend to take any action before they are all wiped off the land of Ireland?
I have much more regard for them than the Deputy has and I have had that regard for our farmers and for agriculture for a very long time.
Does the Minister consider that the farmers can expect only a seasonal rise and that that seasonal rise will be on the present low depressed prices?
That is much too complicated for me—a reasonable rise, as seasonally happens.
The Minister's cheap answers will be of little value to the farmers of Waterford and South Kerry.
That is all that is worrying the Deputy at the moment.
Has the Minister nothing for Sunday morning?
Wait and see.
He is draining the Atlantic now, instead of the Shannon.