asked the Taoiseach if, in view of the increasing gravity of the NFA dispute and the urgent necessity of an early settlement, he will take the initiative to arrange an early meeting between the NFA and the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - NFA Dispute.
1.
I would refer the Deputy to the public statement I made on 9th March last when I told the leaders of the National Farmers Association that the solution to the problem of the Association's relationship with the Government was solely in the hands of the NFA itself.
Meeting between any agricultural organisation and the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries are, of course, a matter for the Minister but, until the NFA accept the basic fact that the law of the land and the orders of the Courts must be complied with by the Association and its members, just as by every other organisation and individual in the State, I do not see that any useful purpose would be served by yet another meeting between the Association and the Minister.