asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will encourage the use of polyurethane horseshoes bonded by an alpha cyanoacrylate type bonding on horses in order to eliminate the old fashioned nailing process in the interest of the economy and the horse.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Polyurethane Horseshoes.
124.
I am not prepared to do so. Such a course would run counter to one of the purposes of the Horse Industry Act, 1970, which is to promote the skills of farriery.
What is the Minister doing about the farrowing industry?
I think there is some confusion here.
The Minister need not worry, I know the difference.
Let us pass on to Question No. 125.
Is the Minister aware that the technological skill of the blacksmith has deteriorated and that we have now come to a stage where occasionally a nail goes through the quick of the horse's hoof? If the Minister accepts that that is the situation, would he not encourage the board under his control——
How does one pronounce the other word there?
——to use this new modern technique?
The Chair does not object to a little light entertainment but he is concerned about making progress at Question Time.
It is quite obvious that the Deputy underestimates the skill of the blacksmiths of this country.
(Interruptions.)
The Minister may not be aware of it, but I have a donkey in my garden and I had one of the Haugheys——
Deputy Coogan, to speak.
I would remind the experts that I hold a master farrier's certificate and I know what I am talking about. Is the Minister aware of the harmful effect that anything of this nature would have on a horse's hoof because of lack of ventilation?
Of course. Is that not one of the reasons why I am resisting this recommendation of Deputy Lemass.
With special regard to the horse racing industry, does the Minister not agree that, if this suggestion were adopted, in the rare event that a trainer might like to arrange that his horse would run more slowly he could use this type of bonding to produce this result?
(Interruptions.)
Is the Minister aware that only a donkey would ask a question such as this?
You now have the Jackeen Government you were looking for.
You never lifted a horse's hoof in your life. You know nothing about it.
I know more about it than the Jackeens on your Front Bench.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Lemass, Deputy Coogan, the Chair is on his feet.
I want to nail a few of those fellows.
I am sorry, Sir.
I am afraid the Deputy is disrupting the business of the House and I am concerned about it. I must put the Deputy on warning.
I know something about the plastics business.