asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will take steps to provide further facilities for the slaughter of lambs in County Louth, with a view to their export as dressed meat, pending the reopening of live-stock exports from that area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Slaughter of Lambs.
Prior to the emergency created by the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, facilities existed, and are still available, for the export of mutton and lamb from two premises in County Louth—one situated in Dundalk and the other in Drogheda. Since the outbreak took place, facilities for the export of mutton and lamb from that area have been increased by the grant of an exporter's permit in respect of additional premises in Dundalk while arrangements are now being made for the grant of such a permit in respect of additional premises in Drogheda.
Is there not a large premises there in the possession of Messrs. O'Mara, Ltd., which used to deal pretty largely with dead lambs?
They have a licence.
Are they, in fact, taking lambs now?
I could not exactly answer the Deputy, but the officers of my Department have been in touch with all factories which had licences, and have asked them to go into the business of exporting lamb again.
Would the Minister look into the employment of that premises, and use what influence he can to persuade the owners of that exceptionally large and commodious premises to re-enter the dead meat export trade at least for the period of this emergency?
We are, as a matter of fact, doing that with all exporters at the moment.
I direct the Minister's special attention to the necessity for encouragement in that direction.