When I reported progress last night—I had in fact almost concluded—I had begun to deal with a matter which had been raised during the debate by certain Deputies of an alleged dispute between the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on the one hand and farmers generally and farmers' organisations on the other, or alternatively, between these organisations and myself. I have said and I repeat that no such dispute exists. It is perfectly evident that while these organisations exist there will always be differences of opinion between the Government and any vocational organisation. To conclude from this perfectly natural and normal situation that a dispute or a quarrel as it was described, or a war, as it was described by other Deputies, exists is to do a great disservice to the general situation in agriculture. I have recently said that in the coming time agriculture must reorganise itself or, to use the "in" phrase, must gear itself for the Common Market. It is a reality. Agriculture must reorganise itself. Agriculture must reorganise its own industry and its own method of output, and must raise its standards of efficiency with all possible speed and with the willing co-operation of farmers generally, farmers' organisations and their instrument, the Department of Agriculture. They must all work together towards the same objectives. These objectives will be difficult of attainment. We must have unity of purpose in this vital matter between the Department, the farming organisations and the farming industry generally. I am ready and willing to do anything I can to further this unity of purpose as to the general direction in which agriculture is going. I regard it as my job to do so. On the other hand, anybody who, for one reason or another, tries to create a situation of friction or hostility, which does not at present exist, is doing great disservice not only to the farmers but to the country in general since we are primarily engaged in agriculture. No one, whether he is the Minister for Agriculture, the Secretary of the Department or a senior officer of it, or a high official in a farming organisation, has the right to feel that he is in a position of special importance. Farming is more important than any one such man. We should all bear that in mind. I include myself in that, of course.
It is vital that unity of approach is recognised as necessary by the people responsible in the farming organisations. I have always had great faith in the common sense of the Irish farmer and in his ability to distinguish what is right from what is wrong. I am confident that in the future we will get the co-operation which is so vitally needed in this particular field. It is the job of the Minister to put the needs of the farming sector to the Government.
The cost to the Exchequer of recent increases in commodity prices to farmers in a full year will come to £5 million, in addition to the extra £5 million which was also announced in last year's Budget. I look on it as my particular function in the Government to do my best for my own Department. It is not possible for any Government to draw on unlimited funds from the taxpayers, many of whom are farmers. Neither can any Government ignore the other vital calls which are made on the Exchequer such as the social welfare demands for the old, the sick, the unemployed, the underprivileged and the mentally handicapped. The educational needs of our young people, many of whom are young farmers, must also be considered. Social welfare, education and health between them account for a very big part of Government expenditure. Farmers generally benefit enormously under each of these subheads. We do not seek to make a virtue out of this. It is an absolute necessity. The realities of the situation must be faced. There is not an unlimited fund on which we can draw. We must try to get agreement about how best to deploy what we have got. The resources we have got are not inconsiderable in either men or land, or in the contribution made by the taxpayer to agriculture. My objective in the Government is to see that agriculture gets its fair share of Government expenditure and to see that no aspect of it or no person in it is neglected.
Rinne mé tagairt, a Cheann Comhairle, d'fhurmhór na neithe a lua na Teachtaí san díospóireacht seo. Má thárla gur fhág me aon rud amach go bhfuil suim fé leith ag aon Teachta ann is nár thug mé freagra air, gheallainn go ndéanfaidh mé mo dhicheall freastal orthu.