asked the Taoiseach if a goose census is conducted in this country; and, if so, if he will give details and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Goose Census.
15.
The coverage of the annual June enumeration of crops and livestock includes geese. The enumeration is taken on a full census basis every five years and in the intervening years consists of a sample inquiry, covering approximately one half of the area of the country. The preliminary estimate for June, 1973, shows a level of 122,600 geese, which is 9,300 or 7.0 per cent below the corresponding 1972 figure.
There are two types of geese. First, there are the migratory geese. Has the Parliamentary Secretary considered the problem of migratory geese which are greatly diminished——
(Interruptions.)
Secondly, there is the commercial goose production which goes on mostly up around County Cavan. In the event of fowl pest coming in here, are we in a position to assess the effect of it?
I assume the only geese of which a census is possible are static geese.
(Interruptions.)
Since the Deputy has brought up the question of geese migration, I can tell him that in the 13 years preceding the change of Government 300,000 fewer geese were found in the country than there were at the beginning of the period.
That is the purpose of the question.
Give us opposition.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary suggest that the Department has been counting those geese since last March?
(Interruptions.)
The Chair has called the next question. Question No. 16, please.