asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that smallholders in Connemara complain of the general unsuitability to their economy of the Shorthorn breed of cattle; that they are satisfied from experience that the Aberdeen Angus breed thrive best in the agricultural conditions of the district; and that they desire a general restoration of the Aberdeen Angus breed; and whether he will have inquiries made in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Connemara Cattle Breeds.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative.
There is room both for the Shorthorn and the Aberdeen Angus breed in the area. If the Shorthorn breed is not maintained, a shortage of milk will follow. At the same time, the Aberdeen Angus is useful for the store trade. My Department keeps both objectives in view. In the past ten years it has located 75 Aberdeen Angus bulls, as well as 111 Shorthorn bulls on special terms in the area, and it will continue to locate reasonable numbers of Aberdeen Angus in the future.
It is hardly correct to speak about a "restoration" of the Aberdeen Angus breed in the area. The main beef breed there before the war was not the Aberdeen Angus but the Galloway.
Is the Minister aware that there is a serious state of affairs regarding the depletion of cattle stocks in the north-west area of Connemara, that disease is widespread and that it is attributed to the bulls? Would he have an inquiry there? That is the extent of my question; I ask him to have an inquiry.
If the Deputy was fortunate enough to be like me, a colleague of Deputy Mongan, he would have no apprehensions about the adequacy of his information of affairs in Connemara. Sustained as I am by that and by the services of the vigilant officers of my Department, I can assure the Deputy as to the situation. He need have no apprehension, but if any individual case has caused the Deputy anxiety I trust that he knows that he has only to let me know of it and I will be very happy to place all the resources of my Department at his disposal.
Will the Minister take notice of a special case, the case that in Connemara there is a complaint about widespread disease in cattle with Letterfrack as its centre?
There is no such case, but if there is any individual case I would be glad to hear of it.
I heard that complaint no later than last Sunday.
If the Deputy tells me any case I will go after it at once.
It is widespread.
Are there any more nice rumours that Deputy Bartley and Deputy Davern could spread?