asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if the 2,000 head of cattle have yet been exported to Germany as promised in October; and if they were exported alive or as beef.
28.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Exports to Germany.
27.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries on what date the German Government and the Commission in Brussels afforded facilities to export to Germany 2,000 head of cattle, either as live cattle or as beef.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 28 together.
The arrangements for the purchase of the 2,000 Irish cattle in question or their equivalent in beef, were made with the appropriate German authorities on 8th October, 1966. The Commission of the EEC was not involved in the arrangements as the cattle or beef were not destined for the West German market. The availability of purchasing facilities for the cattle or beef was announced in the official German gazette of 12th November, 1966.
The cattle or beef have not been exported since then as the trade interests concerned on both sides have not reached agreement on the commercial terms.
Is the Minister aware that his predecessor came in with a flourish of trumpets and told us he had got something wonderful? Telefís Éireann announced the night before and on the midday news that day the wonderful thing the Minister had. Is he aware that up to the present time those 2,000 cattle have not been exported? Is the Minister further aware that, despite the assertion he has made in the House today that the Commission in Brussels was not consulted, Deputy Haughey, the previous Minister, informed the House on 12th October, 1966: "I am glad to say that we have met with a great deal of sympathy and understanding on the part of the German Government and the Commission in Brussels"? Is there one Minister in the Fianna Fáil Government who is prepared to tell the truth to the House or the country at present, or are we to be deceived——
The Deputy may not make a speech at Question Time.
Will the Minister tell the House——
I cannot get an opportunity; the Deputy is talking since he came in.
On 12th October Deputy Haughey told us you had consulted the Commission in Brussels——
(Interruptions.)
Order.
In reply to the supplementary questions, assertions and allegations, the Deputy obviously does not understand what he has read out just now and that is the real trouble about it. He seems to be confused.
I am certainly not confused.
Then do not try to confuse the House.
Order. Deputy L'Estrange has been on his feet for five minutes.
Deputy Haughey informed this House——
The Deputy is giving information, not asking a question. He is entitled to ask a supplementary question.
Is the Minister aware that the previous Minister for Agriculture informed the House on 12th October that they had consulted the Commission in Brussels and that they had got a great deal of sympathy and understanding?
Yes.
Then why do you deny in the House that the Commission in Brussels was consulted?
Sympathy and understanding in the context read out by the Deputy surely do not, except in the Deputy's imagination, relate to the question asked here.
(Interruptions.)
Deputies will be quite well aware that when you have an unwilling buyer, it is hard to make a deal.
You have the deal made.
The Deputy knows that was not what was given to understand to the House at any stage by me or by my predecessor.
Order.
He said it was of importance and a most useful concession to get 2,000 cattle into Germany.
Does the Deputy dispute that?
We dispute it because the Minister was telling lies, misleading and deceiving the House. After six months the cattle are still here.
Deputy L'Estrange told us about telling lies. Would he or any member of his Party, who made such a song and dance at the time about the 2,000 cattle being of little or no significance, tell us why they are so annoyed about it now?
The Minister made a very important announcement of it but the cattle are still there. He was misleading the House.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 29.