asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the exports of cattle, beef, lamb and meat products in terms of value for 1966 and 1967; and his Department's forecast for exports in 1968 and 1969, based on present stock numbers at the different ages in the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meat Exports.
41.
The value of exports of live cattle, sheep and lambs, carcase beef, mutton and lamb and meat products, other than pigmeat products, was £76.7 million in 1966 and £97.7 million in 1967.
The value of exports of these items in 1968 is likely to be in the region of £90 million. As regards 1969, the numbers of cattle and sheep available for export, either on the hoof or in carcase form, should be about the same as in 1968 but at this stage it is not possible to give any precise estimate of their total export value.
All I can say about that is that I disagree.
Any question about that?
I should like to know how the Minister computed his forecast for 1969 because, as far as I can see, it is as far out as the Cow and the Calf, which are two islands outside Skerries.
The Deputy cannot see as far as the door. We know that.
As far as I can see the Minister would get up here and give the figure for 1969——
(Interruptions.)
I want to say this: the Minister has got up here and thrown across here an untruth.
This is not an untruth. If you do not agree with the figures, you do not have to accept them but do not call them untrue. I did not compute them.
You did not compute them?
I did not. Not at all.
I am bound by the laws of the House.
They were read out here as I got them, like any other figures.