asked the Minister for Agriculture whether the County Roscommon Committee of Agriculture have declined to make the usual grant to the Boyle Agricultural Show on the ground that they disapprove of certain local landowners being associated with it; and whether the Minister has taken or will take any action in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Boyle Agricultural Show Grant.
The question of withdrawing the grant from the Boyle Agricultural Show is at present the subject of correspondence between the Committee of Agriculture and my Department.
May I take it from that reply that the Minister disapproves in principle of that form of pressure being brought to bear on the County Committee of Agriculture?
Dr. Ryan
As a Minister, I am not asked to approve or disapprove of the principle. It is another matter that is in dispute between the Committee and the Department.
I take it that some of those funds come to the Committee of Agriculture from the Minister, and that consequently it is not unreasonable that he should have, at any rate, the right to offer them advice and criticism.
Dr. Ryan
The Committee gets a certain grant, and puts up a scheme which must be approved of by the Minister, but the Minister has no power to suggest that they should give money for any particular purpose of this nature.
Would the Minister have any objection to saying definitely whether he approves of what was done or whether he does not?
Do not wobble. The Minister should come out and say what he believes.
Dr. Ryan
There will be no objection at a later stage.
He is afraid of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.