asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries what is the present position in relation to the National Agricultural Council; when it is proposed that the council will next meet; and if he has any plans in mind for the setting up a new council.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Agricultural Council.
28.
The term of office of the members of the National Agricultural Council runs until April 1969. As regards the latter part of the Deputy's question, I have on several occasions made it clear that, not only is the membership of the council open to all the organisations invited to join it, but that I am quite prepared to make changes in the form and constitution of the council provided these are generally acceptable and are agreed between the major interests involved.
The Minister only agreed to that since the beet-growers election.
Do not be codding yourself. Read the records.
It is the Minister's council.
Why do they not form one themselves? I have asked them to do just that.
The farmers do not want the Minister there. They want him out of the seat he is sitting in.
(Interruptions.)
They will get their wish.
(Interruptions.)
Why does the Deputy not put down some questions about the things he was talking about last week?
The NAC is a blot and the Minister knows it.
Everybody agrees that the council is a good thing.
There are two of you left and nobody else.
The Deputy should ask his Front Bench what they think.
(Interruptions.)
Things have never been so good and the Deputy knows it and is very annoyed about it.
Questions Nos. 29, 30 and 31 postponed.