asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been directed to newspaper reports of a statement alleged to have been made by the Minister for Lands at the recent Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis in which the Minister is alleged to have stated that other things being equal the fruits of Government policy should go to Government supporters; whether the statement in question represents the attitude of the Government and was made with his approval; if not, whether he is now prepared to indicate that the Government will not endorse this policy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Speech at Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis.
I have seen the newspaper reports referred to and was present when the Minister spoke.
In summarising his speech some of the newspapers gave an inaccurate impression of his remarks regarding the allotment of land, the whole purport of which was in a contrary sense to that suggested by the terms of the Deputy's question. The point made by the Minister was that, whilst there was no question of apologising for a claim that the fruits of Government policy should, go, other things being equal, to those who, by their national action and by their support, had enabled that policy to be carried into effect, the fundamental consideration in the allotment of land was that those who received farms should be capable of making efficient use of them.
May I take it from the Taoiseach's answer that he approves of the policy that, other things being equal, the fruits of Government policy should go to Government supporters?
Is the Deputy suggesting that they should not go, other things being equal—that Government supporters should be excluded?
Certainly not.
Very well then, what does that mean, other things being equal?
May I ask if we are to understand then that the politics of an applicant are to be considered when the Land Commission are allocating land?
The Minister made it clear, in fact the whole purport of his intervention in dealing with the matter was, that the basis on which land was to be given was that it was to be given to those who were best able to use it.
Irrespective of their political views?
Irrespective of their political views.
What is meant by saying "other things being equal"?
I suppose, if two applicants were in every way equal, the Deputy would go out of his way to give it to the applicant of the other Party.
If they are in every way equal, politics should not be looked into.
The Deputy would toss up. That is what the Deputy would do. I am sure it is.
May I ask the Taoiseach whether he will give us a clear and definite statement as to whether, in matters of this kind, all persons having claims would get consideration fairly and evenly?
That is so.
And whether that has been the policy of his Party for a number of years?
It has.
That is a separate question.
I deny that statement completely.
If there are two applicants whose circumstances are in every particular identical, except that one is Fianna Fáil, and the other one is not, who would get the land?
Who would get the land if the Deputy was dealing with it?
The man the Land Commission thought the best and not the Fianna Fáil clubs.
Exactly. Then we do not interfere.