asked the Minister for External Affairs if he can state the approximate number of cattle traders who usually went weekly to the British markets and likewise the number of British cattle traders who came weekly to Ireland to carry out business in the markets and sales of live stock; and whether he can state the average number who crossed in November, 1943; December, 1943; January, 1944; February, 1944, and March, 1944, and whether he can make a statement regarding future prospects for such trading.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Traders and British Markets.
The total number of travel permits issued by my Department to cattle traders residing in this country is, approximately, 200; I have no information in regard to the number of travel permits issued by the British authorities to cattle traders residing in Great Britain. Travel permits are valid for an unlimited number of journeys within a year, and there are no statistics available as to the frequency with which they are used. It is not possible, therefore, to say how many cattle traders travelled during any particular period.
As regards the last part of the Deputy's question, I understand that, under the special temporary restrictions recently imposed by the British authorities, cattle traders, in common with other persons travelling on business, will not normally be granted travel facilities, and cattle traders are, therefore, not likely to be able to travel between the two countries as long as the present special restrictions remain in force.
Could the Taoiseach indicate if he received any communication from the British authorities before the suspension came into force, indicating that the suspension was likely to take place in regard to those cattle jobbers who were going across from this country to England?
I am afraid I will have to ask the Deputy to put that down as a separate question. I do not think it likely that there would have been any special mention of cattle traders in any communication received.