asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is satisfied that the foot-and-mouth disease is now under control; and whether he has any reason to believe that the disease has at any time been deliberately spread by any person desiring to injure the State or serve any other ulterior motive.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
The foot-and-mouth disease position at present may be regarded as well under control in all areas except County Kilkenny and County Tipperary (South Riding). The position in the latter area has improved considerably, but the situation is not satisfactory in the east side of County Kilkenny. The disease has been eradicated in Counties Donegal, Dublin, Meath, Wicklow, Kildare, Offaly, Clare and Limerick, and the position may also be regarded as satisfactory in the County Kerry and Laoighis areas. There is no evidence to show that the disease has been deliberately spread.
Have rumours reached the Minister for Agriculture or any of his colleagues that the Germans have been spreading foot-and-mouth disease in this country?
Yes.
Does the Minister deem it expedient at this stage to give authoritative denial to that rumour?
There is no foundation for it at all.
So far as the Minister knows, there is no foundation for that allegation and, therefore, co-operation on the part of the farmers will effectively end the disease and there is no reason to apprehend that, if co-operation ends the disease, it will be maliciously spread thereafter?
That is so.