asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of pedigree cheviot rams leased by his Department to farmers in County Wicklow in each of the past five years.
Ceiseanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cheviot Rams.
14.
No cheviot rams were purchased for leasing in County Wicklow during the past five years. Four rams purchased earlier were still on lease in 1971 and two during each of the years 1972 and 1973.
Does the Minister not think he should have been considering putting some fresh blood into the area as five years is quite a long period without any fresh importation?
These rams—and they were not very big in number—were put in previously on application from people in the area. We have had no application. I think that is the answer.
They are provided only on application?
That is the way it was in the past.