asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on his talks with the British Minister for Agriculture in London last week; and what progress, if any, he has made with these talks.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Talks with British Minister.
14.
My discussions with the British Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are concerned primarily with the trade in cattle and beef between the two countries. The series of meetings has not yet concluded and I am not in a position, therefore, to make a detailed statement in the matter at this stage.
Surely the Minister must be aware that so many discussions have taken place recently between Mr. Peart and Mr. Blaney, and previously between the Minister for Finance and Mr. Peart, that they must all now have reached the stage of personal friendship? May I ask the Minister when it is proposed that we will have beneficial results for the farmers of this country as a result of those talks? Is it only a matter of talking? When are we going to have results?
Despite the gloomy forebodings of the Deputy and some of his colleagues, the cattle trade has been very much better recently.
You promised great things as a result of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement.
Indeed, thanks largely to the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement, and despite the irresponsible criticism of the Party opposite, the cattle trade is very much improved.
Instead of the price of cattle increasing by £5 to £10, it has decreased by £15.
The Deputy knows that the cattle trade has improved.
It certainly has not. There were 600,000 exported in 1961 and only 400,000 this year.
(Interruptions.)
You promised great things. We do not like reminding you but things have not turned out the way you said they would.
In view of the fact that the Minister tells us that further discussions are to take place——
The situation changes from day to day.
——when are we going to have some good news for the Irish farmers, or is it only talk?
The Deputy already has good news for the farmers as a result of those talks.
Where are the results?
It is highly desirable that the discussions should continue. The discussions which have taken place have been very fruitful.
Surely the Minister knows it is not all talk the Irish farmers want? It is results they want.