asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the urgent necessity for proceeding with the eradication of bovine tuberculosis in Irish live stock, he will have the necessary moneys made available forthwith from the Exchequer for the operation of the scheme pending the sanction by the Government of the United States of America of the necessary grant for the purpose.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bovine Tuberculosis.
Mr. Walsh
I do not think there is anything I can usefully add, at present, to my reply to the question asked by Deputy Esmonde on 24th February.
Has the Minister any idea if sanction is likely to be given by the Government of the United States in connection with this scheme?
Mr. Walsh
I have already stated in the House that we are awaiting the approval of the American Congress.
How long more does the Minister expect to have to wait?
Mr. Walsh
Not very long.
Until after the elections.
(Interruptions.)
May I ask the Minister whether his attention has been directed to the statement that the Bansha scheme reduced the incidence of tuberculosis in the parish from 48 per cent. to 10 per cent. in two years and whether, pending approval by the American Congress of the new scheme, he would consider extending the Bansha scheme to the adjoining parishes?
Mr. Walsh
Not the Bansha scheme —I hope not.
Is the Minister aware that it reduced the incidence of tuberculosis in the parish from 48 per cent. to 10 per cent?
Mr. Walsh
Not the Bansha scheme. I hope it will be better than that anyway.
I am asking the Minister a question and there is no need to get cross about it. Did he see the allegation that the Bansha scheme had reduced the incidence of tuberculosis from 48 per cent. to 10 per cent.? If that is true, would he consider extending the scheme to the adjoining parishes pending action by the American Congress being held up?
Mr. Walsh
The other scheme is going to go ahead almost immediately.
But while awaiting the American Congress to approve of it. Suppose they delay the matter?
Mr. Walsh
I hope it will not be necessary to embark on the scheme ourselves and that we will get approval of it in a short time.
But suppose you do not get approval of it?
Mr. Walsh
The Deputy is working on suppositions.
I suppose the supposition is that the Minister will not be there.
That is not a supposition. That is a certainty.
Mr. Walsh
Neither is it a certainty that the Deputy will be there.
If I am there it will certainly go through.
I am prepared to have as good a bet on that as I had on Louth.
Is the House agreed to continue with questions?
The Minister for Agriculture proceeded to read the reply to Question No:79.
On a point of order. On a previous Wednesday when there was a surplus of questions the Chair did not permit answers after 4 o'clock and ruled that we must finish with questions at 4 o'clock on a Wednesday as Deputies might have gone away knowing that their questions would not be reached. We had that decision a few weeks ago. What is the explanation of this change in attitude to-day in pursuing questions after 4 o'clock?
The Chair asked the House to decide on that.
The Minister is proceeding to answer a question.
Mr. Walsh
I am sorry.
The Minister did not understand. The remaining questions will appear on to-morrow's Order Paper.