asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he has any plans for bringing to an end the dispute between the NFA and the Government; and, if so, if he will give details of these plans.
35.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - NFA Dispute.
34.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is now prepared to meet the NFA and end the present impasse before it escalates to the detriment of the whole economy.
50.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the causes of the present serious unrest among the farming community and the steps he proposes to take to improve the situation.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 35 and 50 together.
My attitude, and that of the Government, has been made abundantly clear in a number of public statements. As I have already pointed out, the position that has arisen in regard to the NFA is entirely of their own making. As the House knows, they have been engaging in a campaign of unlawful agitation, and any unrest which exists can be attributed to that campaign. The future relations between the NFA and the Government must be determined by whatever course the NFA decide to take.
In other words, the Minister does not intend to take any action to bring the present undesirable impasse to an end but intends to let agriculture go on in this ridiculous fashion?
If this continues, it can do untold harm to the economy. There should be co-operation and consultation at the present time in preparation for our entry into EEC. Is the Minister not prepared to sit at a table and to end this impasse with the NFA?
As the Deputy is well aware, I am a most reasonable person.
That being so, would the Minister not consider coming down a peg and meeting the representatives of the farming organisations to discuss with them the problems which exist and which concern not only the farming community but the Minister and every person in the community?
The Deputy used the expression "farming organisations": I say "Yes" to that.
Since the Minister has joined this Party on this side of the House in proposing a National Agricultural Council, would he issue invitations to all agricultural organisations and see if such invitations would be accepted by all and, in that way, try to end this impasse in some constructive fashion, for the benefit of all, not just for the benefit of one?
I have already considered that.
Next question.
Will the Minister do it? If he says "Yes", he will achieve an awful lot.
Next question.
Chair.
The Deputy has not been appointed Ceann Comhairle yet.
It sounds like that.
Surely the Chair has called my question?
Some Deputies do not obey the Chair.
I obey the Chair and I want my question answered.
If Deputies do not support the Chair by obeying it, then the Chair cannot keep order.
Is it in order for a Deputy to ask a supplementary question while another Deputy is already in course of putting his supplementary question?
It appears that some Deputies do not obey any order.
Poor Deputy Murphy was trying to put a supplementary question when Deputy Donegan got up and began putting his supplementary question.
No. While Deputy Murphy was asking his supplementary question, I stayed quietly on my feet in order to make quite certain that, in a mannerly fashion, I should be able to put my supplementary question when he had finished speaking.