asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that a 10 per cent drop in farm income this year will leave farmers worse off than they were in 1970; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Income.
8.
It is too early to make any firm estimates of farm income this year. However, a 10 per cent drop in farm income as referred to in the Deputy's question, would leave total family farm income 17.5 per cent higher in real terms than it was in 1970. As the 1974 income would be shared among fewer people, the increase per head would be even greater.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that 10 per cent is a rather small figure, particularly for the small western farmers? In some cases the drop in income is as high as 60 per cent.
It is 75 per cent in some cases.
The Parliamentary Secretary did not give the figure of 10 per cent. That figure is given by Deputy Gerard Collins, who asked the question, and I am not aware how he arrived at this calculation.
What is the Parliamentary Secretary's calculation?
I am accepting the Deputy's calculation in my reply to the question.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree with my calculation?
All I can say is that, so far as agriculture generally is concerned, the prospects are brightening, very much so, and we have, fortunately, an unlimited market now for our milk supplies at a good price. So far as young small cattle are concerned, prospects of better prices after Christmas are reasonably good. Generally speaking, there is no need to be as pessimistic as some Deputies opposite seem to be about agriculture. Pessimism is bad. It has damaged the agricultural industry in the past and it will damage it in the future unless——
We are not talking about the future. We are talking about an emergency with a 75 per cent drop in the income of some small farmers. We are all hopeful for the future but we are not talking about the future now.
The question asks the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that a 10 per cent drop in farm income this year will leave farmers worse off than they were in 1970 and if he will make a statement on the matter. The implication is that the Deputy who asked the question seems to think there was a 10 per cent drop in farm income this year and we answered the question accordingly.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that, since Deputy Collins put down that question, further factors have emerged which would suggest that the drop in farm income this year overall would be in the region of 30 per cent? Is he further aware that the drop in farm income this year is one of the major and most direct causes of the rising unemployment from which we are suffering at the moment?
I am not aware that the drop is 30 per cent or anything near that figure. I am sure Deputy Colley will agree, without reflecting on him in any way as spokesman on economics, that Deputy Collins is possibly closer to the situation than he is. Deputy Collins has given us a 10 per cent fall in his question and I have answered it on that basis.
If the figure we quoted is wrong, will the Parliamentary Secretary tell us what is the right figure?
I am telling the Deputy that the figure he quoted is wrong.
Then we must know what is the right figure. What is the right answer?
Ask a question?
We are asking a question.
Put down a question. Deputy Colley was a Minister long enough to know that you must give three days notice of a question.
Do I understand the Parliamentary Secretary to say that the prospects are bright for agriculture in the immediate future?
All the information at our disposal shows that there is a bright future. We appreciate the farmers' difficulties at present. We know the position obtaining in the neighbouring part of this island. In Northern Ireland they are anxious to sell their cattle down here where better prices obtain, particularly for young cattle.
How soon does he see that bright future dawning?
We have sympathy with our Welsh neighbours and the British farmers on the difficulties which beset them at present. Generally we have sympathy with all farmers in western Europe. They are going through a lean period and they have our sympathy.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary indicate how soon our farmers will get out of these difficulties? I know of a farmer who sold five cows last week for £7, one of which cost £150. When will we get out of these difficulties?
I am not a prophet.
It is away in the distant future.
No, not in the distant future.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary in his brief the official estimate of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of the percentage drop in farm income this year and, if so, will he give it to us?
I have answered the question which refers to a 10 per cent drop in farm income.
Is the Department's estimate in the brief?
The Deputy can put down a question to the Minister.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary answer "yes" or "no"? Is the official estimate in the brief? Obviously he does not want to give it.
The statement I have relates to the question asked by Deputy Collins.
No. 9. We have to pass on. The Chair has given a lot of latitude to Deputies on this question.
It is far worse and the Parliamentary Secretary knows it but he is not prepared to give it.
No. The future is quite bright.
Tell us so if it is so good.