asked the Minister for Agriculture whether it is a fact that over half a million pounds worth of valuable crops in this country has been destroyed by rabbits; whether it is possible for the Ministry or Department of Agriculture to find or carry any remedy for the destruction of those pests; whether they have increased beyond counting to such an enormous extent of late years, when guns could not be used; whether there is any immediate remedy, or if not, will the Minister get a Commission with powers to inquire into the loss which farmers have suffered in some localities, particularly where big woods have been cut down adjoining, or get the Land Commission to send an Inspector to visit the holdings of certain farmers to know what amount of rents or rates they are justly entitled to pay, or can they pay any, or to what extent the interest of the occupier and the Land Commission have decreased in consequence?
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ ORAL ANSWERS. ] - DAMAGE TO CROPS.
SEAN O DUINNIN
No information is available as to the amount of loss caused by rabbits as a result of the shortage of guns in hands of civilians. Complaints regarding their depredations were received even in normal times, and the number of such complaints does not appear to have recently increased. Firearms were not used to any great extent for their destruction even when no restrictions were imposed, trapping, snaring, and ferreting by professional operators being regarded as the most effective means of getting rid of the pest. These methods can still be applied, and, to ensure success, only require to be adopted generally. I do not consider it, therefore, necessary to have special inquiries instituted. The poisoning methods adopted in other countries depend for their success largely upon the lack of herbage at certain periods of the year, and it is not considered that they would be effective in this country.
Is the Minister not aware that the system of ferreting and trapping has been found very ineffective to deal with it?
I do not agree with the Deputy. Rabbits can be destroyed by ferreting and trapping. They are different from birds.