asked the Minister for Agriculture whether it is intended to reintroduce the bounty on horses exported to Great Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bounty on Horses.
It is not intended to reintroduce the bounty on horses exported to Great Britain.
Is the Minister aware that since the withdrawal of the bounty it has been extremely difficult to dispose of the moderate-priced thoroughbred stock, and that British purchasers at the Horse Show exhibited no great desire to purchase horses of a medium price, which were largely purchased in previous years, and which, in a great measure, enhanced the reputation of Irish stock, as they often proved in their subsequent careers very successful horses on the racecourses?
On the contrary, it appears to me that both the number of horses sold and the average price paid per animal have considerably increased since last year.
The average?
Would the Minister say what the Government's intention is with regard to the Horse-Breeding Commission which was set up by the Minister?
That is a separate question.
Is the Minister aware that the Northern Ireland horses which were admitted to the Royal Dublin Society's Show by special permit, for exhibited there, and which subsequently came to be sold, had a brisker demand and fetched a higher price than Saorstát Eireann horses which were of superior quality, but which were, for the purposes of export, known to be Saorstát Eireann horses?
I am afraid the Deputy's question indicates that he is not versed in this matter of horse-breeding or of judging the value of horse-flesh.