asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if stocks of sheep and pigs have increased in the last year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sheep and Pig Stocks.
27.
In the most recent 12 month period for which official figures are available, stocks of sheep have increased while stocks of pigs had decreased.
Can the Minister give us the extent of the decrease?
And the date?
One question at a time.
The last date for sheep is December, 1973. In December, 1972, the number was 2,834,600. In December, 1973, it was 2,844,500. That was an increase of .4 per cent or 10,000. I can also give December and April for pigs. The number in December, 1972, was 1,007,200 and in 1973, 1,035,300. In April, 1973, pig numbers were 1,050,100. In April, 1974, they were 950,500.
Would the Minister agree that these figures demonstrate a great lack of confidence by the farming community in the present Government?
There is an improvement in sheep.
It is only .4 per cent.
In pigs there is quite a slight reduction having regard to the difficult period through which the pig producers have gone.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Lemass will be glad to know that the pig producers have got back into a profit situation again.
That statement is quite incorrect. The Minister is misleading the House.
It is not in order to make a statement of that kind.
The Minister is deliberately misleading the House by saying that pig producers are on a profit-making basis.
The Deputy will please resume his seat.
The Minister should be asked to withdraw that statement. It is quite untrue. I will leave the House rather than listen to that thrash. If I were allowed to, I would call the Minister a liar.
The Deputy is being disorderly.
The Minister never fed a calf in his life.
Can the Minister state if he sees any hope of a revival in the pig industry and an increase in the numbers in the foreseeable future?
I have said that fortunately pig producers are now back in a profit situation. That is all I can say.
Question No. 28.
Some people who like to ask questions nicely are not allowed to ask them. You have to be loud and dirty to be allowed to ask questions.