asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state why South County Dublin and the Borough of Dun Laoghaire are excluded from the cattle sale and export scheme; what provision is being made for the sale of cattle in South County Dublin and the Borough of Dun Laoghaire when the emergency purchasing committee is wound up, and why the restrictions on the sale of cattle are being tightened in these areas while in adjoining areas they are being relaxed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Export Scheme.
My reply to the previous question has stated the reasons for continuing the restrictions on the slaughter of cattle and sheep in Dun Laoghaire Borough. The restrictions in that area have not been tightened. It was proposed to permit victuallers in Dun Laoghaire, as well as victuallers in the County Borough of Dublin to buy their requirements of fat cattle and sheep in Dublin market as from Friday, 11th July, but a request was received from the Dublin Victuallers' Association, which includes victuallers in Dun Laoghaire, that the emergency committee should continue for the present to buy fat stock for the supply of meat for the two boroughs. This has been agreed to and the committee will, for the time being, act as agents for the Victuallers' Association and buy cattle and sheep in districts, including South Dublin, wherever movement is permitted.
As from Tuesday, 15th July, fat stock for export only will be permitted to be moved to Dublin market. Movement to this market is limited, for the present, to animals which have been not less than eight weeks on farms in the area situated north of Dublin Borough—the Grand Canal from the city boundary to Shannon Harbour and thence to the mouth of the Shannon. This restriction was necessary in order to obtain the consent of the British authorities to the opening of Birkenhead and Glasgow ports for the export of cattle and sheep for immediate slaughter.
That represents an amelioration of the conditions since these questions were put down and it meets one point in this question. I hope the Minister will not be too much influenced by the Dublin victuallers in connection with Dun Laoghaire. I should like if he would give a reply to the representations made by the Dun Laoghaire victuallers.