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Dáil Éireann - Volume 172 - 27 January, 1959 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat Levy. Mr. O.J. Flanagan Mr. O.J. Flanagan 11. Mr. O.J. Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture when he proposes to restore the wheat levy collected on last year's wheat crop; what compensation it is proposed to make to the farmers; and in what form. Mr. Hughes Mr. Hughes 12. Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is now in a position to state the amount of compensation to be given to farmers who grew wheat and suffered such severe losses last harvest. Mr. Rooney Mr. Rooney 1028 13. Mr. Rooney asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (a) the reason for the delay in sanctioning a refund of the wheat levy and other price deductions to wheat producers; (b) the amount per barrel which will [1028] be refunded; and (c) the date on which farmers will receive payment. Mr. P.J. Burke Mr. P.J. Burke 14. Mr. P.J. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the approximate date on which he proposes to give relief to farmers whose wheat crops this year were down by about one-third and the moisture content of which was high. Minister for Agriculture (Mr. Smith) Patrick Smith Minister for Agriculture (Mr. Smith): With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 12, 13 and 14 together. I would refer the Deputies to the reply given by me on 7th January, 1959, to the question by Deputy Richard Barry, which indicated that I hope to be able to make an announcement in this matter before the end of the present month. Mr. O.J. Flanagan Mr. O.J. Flanagan Mr. O.J. Flanagan: Is the Minister aware that farmers are under the impression that the levy is about to be restored and, in view of the fact that we are now close to the spring, would the Minister make an early statement and have the necessary compensation paid to the farmers so as to assist them in their spring work? Mr. Smith Mr. Smith Mr. Smith: I am well aware of the Deputy's tremendous, burning anxiety for these people and, as I have said in my reply, I hope to make an announcement shortly. Mr. Rooney Mr. Rooney Mr. Rooney: Would the Minister state the reason for the delay in this announcement? There is £500,000 due to the farmers. Mr. Smith Mr. Smith Mr. Smith: Could the Deputy not think of anything more intelligent to ask me? Mr. Rooney Mr. Rooney Mr. Rooney: I want to know the reason for the delay. Mr. Hughes Mr. Hughes Mr. Hughes: It is four months since the harvest and surely the Minister should make a statement by now. Mr. Smith Mr. Smith Mr. Smith: I have been making statements regularly during that period. Mr. Sweetman Mr. Sweetman Mr. Sweetman: Pretty stupid and pretty empty ones. Mr. Smith Mr. Smith 1029 [1029] Mr. Smith: We will always leave it to the people to decide that matter. Mr. Rooney Mr. Rooney Mr. Rooney: The Minister is showing contempt for the farmers. Mr. O.J. Flanagan Mr. O.J. Flanagan Mr. O.J. Flanagan: Might I further inquire if the Minister proposes to restore the levy? Mr. Smith Mr. Smith Mr. Smith: The answer is “no.” Mr. Hughes Mr. Hughes Mr. Hughes: It is about time the Minister did that. Mr. Rooney Mr. Rooney Mr. Rooney: The Minister is not capable of making a reply. Mr. O.J. Flanagan Mr. O.J. Flanagan Mr. O.J. Flanagan: May I give notice of my intention to raise the subject matter of this question on the Adjournment? Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee: You may. An Ceann Comhairle Patrick (Clare) Hogan An Ceann Comhairle: I shall communicate with the Deputy in the course of the afternoon. Dáil Éireann 172 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Wheat Levy. Questions 19590127
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