asked the Minister for Agriculture the reason for granting a licence to import one hundred Welsh ponies for sale in this country; and if he proposes to grant further licences for the same purpose in future.
14.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Import of Welsh Ponies.
13.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if the Connemara Pony Breeders' Society were consulted before licences were granted to import Welsh ponies for sale in this country.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to reply to Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together. An import licence was recently granted for 50 Welsh ponies, not 100. This importation was covered by our Trade Agreement with Great Britain and, as well, satisfied my Department's veterinary requirements.
Does the Minister think this will help the Connemara Pony Society?
Since my Department down through the years have been responsible for the creation of this Society and for keeping it in existence by support from year to year, I imagine that they would be the last people in the world to do anything that could be avoided that would injure that society.
Is it not a fact that the late Deputy Mongan was the founder of this Society?
I am sure that a number of local people gave considerable help but my Department have supported this Society in a very vital way from the beginning and it would be very strange indeed if we were to deliberately do something to injure it.
Do I take it from the Minister's reply that it is not his intention to import any more Welsh ponies?
I am bound by the Trade Agreements made over the years and all of these will be found to include something that is pleasant and something that is not so pleasant.
And the unpleasant things are kept for the west.