asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that farmers in the Ballyglass, Knockshambo, Baurhane area, in which there are over 300 milch cows, applied to his Department to have licensed bulls allocated to their area on the grounds that the nearest approved bull was in some cases a distance of eight or nine miles from them but their applications were refused; and if, in view of the great inconvenience caused to the farmers in the area, he will review the applications as soon as possible with a view to allocating at least two approved bulls to the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Applications for Bulls.
It is presumed that the Deputy's question relates to the scheme administered by my Department under which a limited number of bulls of approved standard are located each year on special terms with selected applicants in the congested districts. My Department has no information to show that applications under this scheme from farmers in the Ballyglass, Knockshambo, Baurhane area, were refused this year. I am, however, causing inquiries in the matter to be made locally and I will communicate with the Deputy in the matter when these inquiries have been completed.