asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he is aware that the Department of Lands and Agriculture has given instructions to the railway company that not more than seven fat cattle may be loaded in one of their waggons, and if he is aware that the experience of members of the cattle trade and farmers generally is that in waggons not loaded to their full capacity much more injury is likely to be caused to stock than if fully loaded; and if, in view of this, and also of the consideration that an addition to the already high cost of transit is involved, he will direct the withdrawal of the instruction referred to.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - LOADING OF CATTLE.
Mr. HOGAN
The reply to the first portion of the question is in the negative. Presumably the Deputy refers to Article 7 (1) of the Transit Order which came into force on the 15th November, a copy of which I am sending him. This Order was made upon the unanimous recommendation of a Committee which sat last year, and upon which the cattle trade was strongly represented. In addition, I was strongly pressed by the Irish Cattle Traders and Stockowners' Association to put these recommendations into force without delay. Since the Order came into force I received a deputation on behalf of the cattle trade. I told them that if, through their responsible and accredited associations, they put up an alternative clause with which they and the Farmers' Union and other associations affected were satisfied, I would review the proposal sympathetically. No such alternative clause has been submitted to me or to the Department.