asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of persons engaged in wholetime employment in factories where horses are slaughtered for export, and the price paid by these factories for horses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment in Horse Slaughter Factories.
17.
I have not got the particulars requested and do not feel I could ask the factories concerned for them.
Average prices paid for fat horses at provincial fairs are published monthly in the Farm Bulletin issued by my Department.
The Minister says he will not ask for the number of people working in these factories. I think it is the normal thing for a Minister to be able to give this information to the House.
That is a job for the Central Statistics Office, as far as I know.
When this industry was starting in Ireland, it was claimed that it would employ 500 people in Limerick. I want to know how many more than the 500 are being employed.
The Deputy is hoping that they are not employed.
I am not hoping anything.
A Deputy
Then you are hopeless.
There is your order now, Sir. I think that I should be given the answer to this question, with all due respect to you, Sir.
The Chair has no control over the answering of questions.
If the Chair has no control over the answering of questions, then Parliament has gone down.
The Chair never had any control over the answering of questions. The Chair has control over order and decorum in the House and is endeavouring to exercise it.
I want to give you notice, Sir, that I shall raise the subject matter of this question on the adjournment.
You will be welcome to it.
I shall communicate with the Deputy.