asked the Taoiseach the number of persons who emigrated in the year 1956-57.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emigration in 1956-57.
1.
Figures for the net outward passenger balance by sea and air are the only indicators available of net emigration for periods other than intervals between successive censuses of population. For the 12-month period ended February, 1957, the figure was 44,200.
Is the Minister aware that over 1,100,000 people have emigrated since Fianna Fáil came to power and that 400,000 have emigrated since 1957 when Fianna Fáil last came into office?
Is the Deputy aware of the fact it took about three years to dispel the despondency created by the Coalition Government and that the figures for net emigration were reduced to 16,800 in the period 1961-1966.
Is it not true that 60,000 people left this country in 1958, in 1959, in 1960, and 1961 and that a total of 400,000 people have been driven out of the country since you last came back in 1957?
Not at all: the population is going up.
Was that not fairly bad for an inspired question? A hopeless reaction.
We have been making progress anyway.
You are like Wrong-Way Corrigan.
Progress has been made in a positive sense.
To hell or to England with the people.