asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is prepared to provide a veterinary service for the Erris area as no such service exists in the North Mayo area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Veterinary Service for Erris (Mayo).
Mr. Walsh
One of the veterinary surgeons resident in Ballina is the local authority veterinary inspector for Belmullet rural district and in that capacity is required to visit the district whenever necessary to perform duties under the Diseases of Animals Acts and public health duties. He is also required to attend fairs in the district and to visit Belmullet twice weekly. As in the case of other outlying areas, difficulty has been experienced in getting a veterinary surgeon to reside in the Erris area. I am, however, prepared to consider what can be done to improve the position in such areas.
I would ask the Minister, as this is a vast area, to consider at a very early date providing a proper veterinary service. There are many districts in this area which are 40 or 45 miles from Ballina.
What are the duties of veterinary surgeons who attend fairs?
Mr. Walsh
The normal duties under the Diseases of Animals Acts. The veterinary inspector has several duties under these Acts.
At fairs?
Mr. Walsh
Yes, at fairs—the inspection of animals for one thing.
Does the Minister agree that a service provided by a veterinary surgeon living 40 or 45 miles away, in the case of an animal getting sick, is practically useless for the average farmer and will he consider the possibility of providing a satisfactory service at an early date?
Mr. Walsh
It would have to be at the expense of the State. If it is not a remunerative proposition for a veterinary surgeon to go into the district, he will not go into it.
Pay him a sufficient salary.