asked the Minister for Agriculture how many outbreaks of salmonella in cattle were confirmed in County Waterford by the Abbotstown research station.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmonella in Cattle.
20.
Two outbreaks of salmonella in cattle were confirmed in County Waterford by the Department of Agriculture's veterinary laboratory, Abbotstown, County Dublin, during the present year. I must say I never heard of this disease in my life.
Nonsense.
Will the Minister see to it that this disease be made notifiable?
That is a different matter and, as I told the Deputy by way of an aside, I have never heard of this disease before.
I thought the Minister knew everything. Is the Minister aware that cattle could recover from this disease and could be carriers of paratyphoid? Would the Minister have that investigated?
As far as I know we have made the county M.O.H. in each case aware of the findings and the Deputy may take it that if there are any further steps necessary from either the veterinary or public health points of view they will be taken.
Does the Minister seriously tell the House that, as Minister for Agriculture, he has never heard of salmonella infections and their reactions and possible reactions on the agricultural industry here? If that is so, it is an appalling fact.
I am a layman——
The Minister is Minister for Agriculture.
But as a layman, I do not profess to understand or——
The Minister should have heard about it.
——to know all about all the diseases to which animals are exposed. I think that would be quite impossible and it would be absurd to suggest that a Minister for Agriculture must be a medical and veterinary expert, an expert in everything. I am not, and I do not claim to be.
According to what the Minister said a few minutes ago they look after every report that comes in.
Is the Minister aware that salmonella is already a notifiable disease? It comes from Portugal——
Could the Minister change over with Deputy O'Malley?
That is a separate question.
I have been told that it is not a notifiable disease.