asked the Minister for Justice whether, in view of the effect of the imprisonment of farmers on the proposed Agricultural Council and the fact that it is likely to prolong the present dispute, he will take steps to remit the penalties imposed on the farmers who are now in jail.

No application for the remission of the fines in question has been made to me.

I would point out to the Deputy that before any warrant was executed the NFA issued public statements to the effect that any attempt to execute warrants would be met by "serious" action on their part. They said, furthermore, that their campaign of "no rates, no annuities and no payment of fines" would continue irrespective of any decision to join the National Agricultural Council.

Would the Minister tell the House what his reaction would be if representations were made to him for a mitigation of the fines?

That is a hypothetical question.

If representations are made to me for a mitigation of fines, they will be fully considered by me on the merits, as is done in the case of any citizen in the land.

Is it not right to say this is not a "no rates campaign," and the Minister has wrongly described it as a "no rates campaign"? It is a withholding of rates until the farmers are fit to pay them, until Fianna Fail do something to enable them to pay them.

Order. Will Deputies please allow the business to proceed? Question No. 42.