asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he has fully considered the proposal to set up a meat marketing board; and if he is now in a position to give particulars of this board.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Meat Marketing Board.
25.
Not yet. I would refer the Deputy to the terms of my reply to questions in this matter on 9th February.
Is the Minister aware that at the Fianna Fáil Árd Fheis in November, he told the Fianna Fáil Party he was considering it and expected to make an announcement soon? Is the Minister further aware that his predecessor promised this to the farmers last September? Where is the collective responsibility we are told there is in the Fianna Fáil Party?
I think we heard that question from the Deputy before. The answer then was that he would no doubt find it in a Coalition Government.
Is the Minister not aware that, if we had a marketing board or a promotion board, we would have more orderly marketing and not have the catastrophic drop we had in cattle prices in the past few months? Is the Minister making it known to the public that the brass-neck Fianna Fáil Ministers are now falling out with one another as well as trying to uproot the present Taoiseach?
That does not arise.
When the Minister speaks about the inter-Party Government, we are entitled to speak about the disunity among Ministers in the Fianna Fáil Party at present.
Question No. 26.
The Taoiseach said he would hold on for as long as he would be allowed to.
Don Quixote.
Deputy L'Estrange will please restrain himself.
Surely I should be allowed to answer the assertions made by the Deputy, Sir?
You would not answer the first part of the question.
I have answered it. In regard to the Deputy's assertions as to the usefulness of a meat marketing board or of — I noticed a subtlety not usual for the Deputy — a promotion board, which is new, does the Deputy know which he wants?
I want either.
I am delighted to hear the Deputy say he is prepared to settle for either.
I want orderly marketing and promotion in order to get a good price for our produce.
Does the Minister know what he wants?
The Minister knows a lot better than the Deputies know what they are asking.
Where is the collective responsibility? What has happened since the former Minister promised it?
That is a separate question. It does not arise.
The Deputy is confusing himself.
I certainly am not. Deputy Haughey promised it when he was Minister.