asked the Taoiseach the total number of people at work during 1951; the total number at work at the latest available date in 1970; the reduction expressed as a percentage of total number of people; and the reasons for the reduction.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment Statistics.
3.
The total number of persons at work in the State in April, 1951, was 1,217,000. The corresponding figure for 1970 is not yet available, the most recent estimate being that for 1969. In 1969 the total at work was 1,069,000, representing a reduction of 12.2 per cent on the 1951 figure.
Over the period 1951 to 1969, the number at work in agriculture, forestry and fishing declined by 195,000 while in non-agricultural economic activity the number at work increased by 47,000.
According to the figures the Parliamentary Secretary has given there has been a reduction of about 100,000 people at work since 1951 despite the promises made by Fianna Fáil in the past to give employment to our own people. Is that not true? It is to be seen plainly in Donegal and Leitrim that our own people are being banished from the land of Ireland especially from the small farms.
We cannot have a debate on this.
That is totally untrue.
Do the Parliamentary Secretary's figures, if they mean anything, not prove that over 100,000 people have been driven out of jobs and employment since 1951, under a Fianna Fáil Government?
They have not been driven out of jobs. The Deputy is relating the figures to Donegal and Leitrim, which is typical.
This is to be seen plainly in Donegal and Leitrim which is a neglected, forgotten area in so far as the Government are concerned.
Has this nothing to do with the by-election?
It has a lot to do with it. The people there voted for you in the past and were treated like the farmer's faithful collie dog who would come back wagging its tail.
(Interruptions.)