asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries what facilities, if any, are provided by the Cork Corporation to enable owners of flocks of sheep in the city to comply with the compulsory sheep dipping orders; if he is aware that non-compliance by the Corporation with these orders caused grave hardship to the owners of some 870 sheep at present grazing in the city; and what steps he intends taking to compel the provision of these facilities by the Corporation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Corporation Sheep Dipping Facilities.
144.
The Sheep Dipping Order, 1965, has not been adopted by Cork Corporation and I am not aware that special facilities have as yet been provided by that body for the dipping of sheep within its functional area.
The corporation is understood to be in consultation with Cork County Council about the use within the city boundary of a mobile dipping bath the property of the council.
The obligation to have sheep effectively dipped is one devolving on individual sheep owners. Grants are available from my Department for the construction of private dipping facilities by sheep owners and grants are also available for the provision of these facilities by local authorities.
I have no powers to compel any local authority to provide special facilities for the dipping of sheep.