asked the Minister for Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the recent case of 140 donkeys shipped from this country to England which were found to be "ineligible to travel to the Continent"; and, if so, if he has any statement to make concerning their condition before leaving here.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Donkeys.
Mr. Walsh
I am aware of the export of the donkeys to which the Deputy refers but he is not correct in stating that 140 donkeys were found to be ineligible to travel to the Continent. The British authorities have officially stated that only 18 of the animals were presented for examination for reexport from Britain to the Continent and that those 18 animals were rejected as ineligible for shipment to the Continent though not on the ground that they were unfit to travel.
I am satisfied that all the donkeys were subjected to the usual strict veterinary examination immediately prior to shipment from this country to Britain and that they were then in a fully fit condition.
What happened to them in the meantime?
Mr. Walsh
I cannot answer that question.
Is the Minister wholly satisfied, or has he taken any steps to ensure, that the 18 animals submitted to the British veterinary inspection were, in fact, 18 animals which were originally accepted from this country at all? Have we any means of satisfying ourselves that donkeys perfectly legitimately shipped from here were not used as a cover for other animals picked up in Great Britain and mixed through a group of donkeys which had been passed as suitable for export from Ireland? Have we any means of knowing that?