asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that farmers are compelled by law to pay a minimum wage to labourers employed by them, and that as a result of the shortage of labour they are often forced to pay more than the minimum rate, he will consider fixing a minimum price for bacon pigs sold by farmers, based on present costs of food; fuel, labour and on risk of loss.

I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Deputy Cogan's question on the 5th instant about this matter.

I cannot, however, subscribe to the view that farmers do not pay agricultural workers a higher wage than the fixed minimum except when forced to do so by shortage of labour, as I know that in the vast majority of cases they pay higher rates than the minimum where the agricultural worker by his outstanding ability or industry earns it.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Deputy Larkin.

What are you smirking about?

He did not understand the answer.