asked the Minister for Agriculture if, since he replied to a question on 12th December last, he has made any further inquiries into the restriction of credit in the supply of manures and seeds and whether he will take steps to make the normal credit facilities available to farmers this year as in previous years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Credit Facilities for Farmers.
Mr. O'Higgins
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that tillage farmers find it difficult to secure this year credit for the purchase of seed; and, if so, if he will state what steps he proposes to take to assist them.
Mr. Walsh
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 108 and 109 together.
I understand that in a number of instances recently suppliers have been reluctant to allow farmers their accustomed credit for the purchase of seeds and fertilisers.
I have discussed this matter with the Irish Flour Millers' Association who, with my approval, have undertaken to provide credit facilities for their agents who supply farmers with fertilisers and seed for wheat. These facilities, in conjunction with those provided by the Agricultural Credit Corporation, Limited, by county councils under the Seeds and Fertilisers Supply Act, 1951, and by Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann, Teoranta, in respect of beet, should enable growers to procure their requirements of seeds and fertilisers for the coming season.
Is the Minister aware that there is a poster that has been sent out through the whole Midlands——
Mr. Walsh
That has been in existence for over five weeks.
No.
Is the Minister aware that that poster was in existence when, on 12th December here, he told us that there was no restriction on credit?
That is no evidence of it.
Mr. Walsh
We have no evidence whatsoever.
Have you read it?
Mr. Walsh
I have and I could tell you who got it out—some of your friends.
Is the Minister now going to say, as he said in December, that there was no restriction of credit to the farmers?
Mr. Walsh
It was put out by some of your friends.
With your permission, in view of the fact that the Minister is so ignorant as to be unable to discuss any matter except in that tone, I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
Apart from the Chair's decision on this matter, is the Minister aware that this notice is exhibited in the premises of every trader in my constituency that I know of and it is not confined to the political friends of the Minister's opponents? I do not like to name some of his friends who have the advertisement up in houses in my area.
I think it is regrettable that that atmosphere should be introduced into an important matter, because it is not due to any particular Party that that document is in people's houses.
It is not.