asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money paid each year from 1960 to 1967 to assist the farming community, taking into consideration every aspect of grants for farmers, for land reclamation, rates subsidy, cattle, marketing and loans from the Agricultural Credit Corporation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Assistance to Farming Community.
31.
The figures for total State expenditure in relation to agriculture in the financial years 1960-61 to 1967-68 are:
|
£ m. |
|
|
1960-61 |
26.3 |
|
1961-62 |
36.8 |
|
1962-63 |
37.0 |
|
1963-64 |
38.5 |
|
1964-65 |
50.0 |
|
1965-66 |
53.5 |
|
1966-67 |
54.8 |
|
1967-68 |
67.8 |
The figure for 1967-68 is based on the most recent estimates of expenditure taking into account provisions for agriculture in the Budget and subsequent developments.
Could the Minister tell us what increase has taken place since in rates, taxes, cost of production, turnover tax et cetera and how much the selling price for the farmer has reduced in the past year?
Mr. P.J. Burke rose.
Further arising out of the Minister's reply, is he not aware that what the farmers of Ireland want now are fair prices, not doles or sops? Although 220,000 farmers have left the land of Ireland since 1960, today there are 100,000 farmers with less than £5 per week.
I want to ask the Minister would he please enlighten Deputy L'Estrange that it is——
Jail to the farmers. General de Gaulle did it in France but our Minister has the distinction of being the only Minister in Europe——
A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, will you please listen to me?
We will put Deputy P.J. Burke on point duty on the Naas Road.
I cannot ask a question when there is a seagull like Deputy L'Estrange always screeching. Can the Minister tell me, when Deputy L'Estrange's Party were in office, what they got in 1956 and 1957? I am sorry I did not give you notice of that question, Sir.
There is an answer to that but it is unparliamentary.
Arising out of Deputy Burke's supplementary, may I ask a supplementary question? Do the figures referred to by the Minister include provision for the farmers whom he put in jail during the years in question?
Arising out of the Minister's reply——
(Interruptions.)
I have called Question No. 32.
I want to reply to Deputy P.J. Burke.
(Interruptions.)
We have all got answers for Deputy Burke but they are not parliamentary.
This is unfair dealing with one Deputy; if anybody else asked, that information would not be given.
If we are lucky, we will get cattle into Germany yet.
I am afraid I have not the exact figure of the total State expenditure in relation to agriculture for the year 1955-56 but I can assure the Deputy that it has increased at least twenty-fold since that time. The figures I read out represent a very determined effort by this Government to come to the aid of the farmers of Ireland.
Circulate that before the week-end to Fianna Fáil speakers.
Do the figures given by the Minister not include a figure for the upkeep of the Botanic Gardens?