asked the Minister for Home Affairs for a return, showing (a) the number of instances since December 6th, 1922, in which cattle were seized by Military (other than by way of execution of decrees), arranged according to the Counties in which the seizures were made. (b) The total number of cattle so seized. (c) The total proceeds of the sale of such cattle. (d) How the proceeds of such sales have been disposed of.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SEIZURE OF CATTLE.
(a) The number of instances in which stocks were seized by Military (other than by way of execution of decrees) since December 6th, 1922, is 76.
The number in each county is as follows:—
|
Donegal |
1 |
Sligo |
4 |
|
Carlow |
1 |
Leitrim |
3 |
|
Kilkenny |
2 |
Roscommon |
3 |
|
Offaly |
2 |
Cork |
7 |
|
Westmeath |
7 |
Kerry |
9 |
|
Longford |
1 |
Clare |
13 |
|
Galway |
4 |
Limerick |
2 |
|
Mayo |
9 |
Tipperary |
8 |
|
Total 76 |
In 10 instances stock were released to their owners on payment of fines.
(b) The number of stock so seized is:—
|
Cattle |
866 |
|
Sheep |
421 |
|
Horses |
132 |
|
Miscellaneous |
121 Total, 1,540. |
(c) The total net proceeds of sale and fines received up to the present amount to £5,815 7s. 5d.
(d) The money is being retained pending arrangements for its allocation.
Will the Minister say whether in the sale or disposal of this stock any effort is made to obtain the market value?
Mr. O'HIGGINS
The stock are sold by public auction.
And they average £4 a head.
Mr. O'HIGGINS
The Deputy, I think, is ignoring that portion of the answer which states that in ten instances stock were released to their owners on payment of fines.
Will the Minister say how many stock were sold in order to realise the sum of £5,815?
Mr. O'HIGGINS
The £5,815 is the total net proceeds of the sale and fines received up to the present. Deductions for transit payments, etc., have been made from that amount.
Can the Minister say how many head of stock that amount covers?
Cattle?
Stock of different kinds.
Mr. O'HIGGINS
It covers the sale-price and fines of all stock that have been handled in this way. Take the ten instances where stock were released to their owners on payment of fines, I do not know what number of stock would be included in these particular instances.
It is rather important that we should know that.
A question could be put down on that matter.
Mr. O'HIGGINS
If the Deputy puts a question on that subject it will be answered in the ordinary course.