asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that farmers in the Beara Peninsula who have old cows to dispose of have been notified to put same on rail at Bantry, which would involve in some cases a journey by road of more than 50 miles over difficult mountainous country; and if, seeing that the farmers so affected have no means of meeting the cost and risk involved in such delivery, he will arrange to take delivery by lorry or steamer at Castletownbere or devise other means to facilitate the farmers concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Old Cows at Beara.
Dr. Ryan
In connection with the scheme for the elimination of old and uneconomic cows, the arrangements made for the collection of the cows offered by applicants in the Beara Peninsula provide, if the necessary cooperation amongst applicants is forthcoming, for the assembly of the animals at Castletownbere for the purposes of utilising special and ordinary steamboat services to Bantry, from which point the animals will be railed to Roscrea. Local officers of my Department, assisted by other officers sent specially to the district, are helping in the work of organisation. The use of lorries was considered, but was not found practicable.