asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the steps he intends to take to avert a strike by the members of the Veterinary Union of Ireland employed by his Department.
23.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Veterinary Surgeons.
22.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the present situation in the dispute with the veterinary profession.
24.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries when he intends to appoint lay technicians to take blood samples under the brucellosis eradication scheme.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 23 and 24 together.
These matters are at present the subject of discussion between my Department and the Irish Veterinary Union and, in the circumstances, I do not propose at this stage to make any statement in the matter.
I can understand the delicate nature of the negotiations that are going on but I should like the Parliamentary Secretary to give us an assurance that he and his Minister will be far more reasonable in this dispute than they were in the dispute with the farm services 12 months ago?
The Minister has been reasonable in all disputes.
While I appreciate the delicacy of the position at the moment in regard to negotiations to avert this strike, I should like to be assured that the Parliamentary Secretary and the Minister are fully aware of the consequences if this strike takes place?
The Minister and his Department are doing everything possible to avert this strike.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.