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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Nov 1968

Vol. 237 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - NFA Negotiations.

9.

asked the Taoiseach if he will explain further his statement in reply to the debate of 7th November regarding NFA negotiations that he was prepared to wipe the slate clean.

10.

asked the Taoiseach if, in regard to his statement in Dáil Éireann on the 7th November, 1968 in relation to his special appeal for harmony in farming and the fact that he was prepared here and now to wipe the slate clean, he will immediately, as a gesture of goodwill, issue instructions for Government advertising in future to be sent to a newspaper (name supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.

I regard my statement to which the Deputies refer as self explanatory and I have nothing further to add to it at this stage.

In view of the fact that the Taoiseach made that statement in the House during the week, may I ask whether it would be more practicable as a gesture of good-will towards restoring unity, that he would give instructions to have advertising resumed in the Farmers' Journal? Might I further inquire whether pious expressions in the House are of value? Would he not consider doing something practical towards restoring some form of sanity as between the Government and the people concerned?

Is the Taoiseach in fact to meet the President of the NFA? If he does, would he ensure that the present "Minister for War" is not present?

When I meet the President of the NFA, or any representatives of any farming organisation, I will meet them when and where I decide. I will bring with me those whom I feel necessary and I will not be influenced by Deputy O'Higgins or anybody else.

Not even by the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries?

In reply to Deputy Oliver Flanagan, I say that the matter of advertising in the Farmers' Journal is one for the Minister and I might say that Deputy Flanagan's intervention here has anything but the blessing of the Farmers' Journal.

Is the Minister to meet the President of the NFA?

I have received a letter—it has been published—from the President of the NFA and I propose to reply to him.

What will you reply?

I will reply to the President of the NFA, he will get the letter and he will probably publish the letter. What I said last week was not a pious expression. It was a serious expression of intent which I will follow up, and I will do so when I feel the time is appropriate.

If the Taoiseach is to wipe the slate clean, to forget the past and to start anew, the best way he can begin is by restoring to the Farmers' Journal the advertising which the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries took away.

That is a matter for decision and the decision will be made.

Surely the offer made by the Taoiseach, made sincerely in the House, was to wipe the slate clean. Whether he left it to the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries I do not know, but surely part and parcel of the operation is to allow these advertisements to be put in the Farmers' Journal? I ask the Taoiseach to be definite and specific about it rather than to leave it on the basis that this is a decision for the Minister. Surely it is not too much that we should ask the Taoiseach at least to control his own Ministers?

The Deputies need not have any worries——

We have considerable worries.

(Interruptions.)

The Deputies need not have any worries, but I do not want any directions from Deputy O'Higgins. I will make my own decision.

I doubt it very much.

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