The State papers released by the National Archives in Bishop Street recall the militancy of Irish farmers during the mid-1960s. Relations with the National Farmers' Association deteriorated after Charles Haughey became Minister for Agriculture in October 1964. One year later the Minister for Justice, the late Brian Lenihan, wrote to the Taoiseach about a Garda response to the NFA non-payment of rates.
Mr Lenihan added an initialled note: "It now appears that the NFA may cave in on this matter. As you know Charlie Haughey has sent a `surrender' statement to them for their agreement. In view of this development we can hold our hand for the present" (17222).
On the contrary, the farmers' campaign escalated. In October 1966 the NFA president, Mr Rickard Deasy, and other spokesmen addressed a meeting in Merrion Square, Dublin.
Afterwards a delegation went to the Department's offices and demanded an interview with Mr Haughey. When told he was not available they sat down on the steps, announcing they would "wait a bloody month, if necessary, to meet the Minister."
In November Mr Lynch replaced Mr an Lemass as Taoiseach and Neil Blaney succeeded Mr Haughey. Despite meeting the new Taoiseach and Minister, the NFA resumed its sit-down protest and machinery blockades involving about 12,000 farmers took place at 120 venues.
In January 1967 a second blockade occurred, and a commodity strike began on March 5th. Some 80 farmers were imprisoned in Mountjoy and Limerick jails.
The presidents of the Irish Countrywomen's Association, Macra na Feirme and Muintir na Tire expressed alarm in a joint letter to Mr Lynch.
The Bishop of Kilmore and Elphin and Ardagh, Dr E.F.B. Moore, advised the Taoiseach in a letter that the long-term solution was by way of "help on" rather than hand-out. "I am sorry that among farmers there is so much of the pressure-group technique. All I am concerned with is to see that farming is a viable and progressive life and living."
In a letter to TDs, the NFA said the average income of farmers in 1964 was £7.4s.6d. a week. "May we remind you that the agricultural sector represents one-third of our population and provides twothirds of our exports, but yet receives only one-fifth of national income."
Mr Deasy rejected mediation, insisting on direct negotiations with the Government. When the association ended its illegal activities, 65 prisoners were released and talks took place with the Minister.
The NFA president expressed his appreciation to Mr Lynch for his intervention in the dispute. The Taoiseach replied on April 1st, 1967 (98/6/712):
"I regret that your executive refused to accept the recommendations that you and your colleagues who met the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and me undertook to make to them . . . I think they were very reasonable and it is to be hoped that your executive, on further reflection, will accept them."
There was much praise for Mr Lynch's handling of the crisis, especially his television appearance on April 24th, ordering the NFA to end its rates campaign. But the dispute dragged on; the Taoiseach believed the initiative lay with the NFA.
From Murroe, Co Limerick, Canon John Gilmartin said he was perturbed by the deterioration in relations between the farmers and the Government: "No doubt one cannot view the individual farmers as habitual criminals needing to be bound to the peace."
Mr Lynch replied: "What really troubles me is that any section of the community, be it farmers or any other, should assume to itself the right to dictate terms to the Government elected by the community as a whole. This breeds anarchy."
In January 1984, after many more farmers had left the land, the Supreme Court upheld a High Court ruling that rates on agricultural land were unconstitutional, thus bringing to an end a long fight against the tax.