asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of prosecutions brought against holders of unlicensed bulls in each of the years 1970 to 1975.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unlicensed Bulls.
18.
The numbers were as follows: 1970, 297; 1971, 304; 1972, None; 1973, 195; 1974, 396. The numbers for 1975 are not yet available.
Do the figures not seem to reveal the extensive use of unsuitable breeding animals? Does the Minister not realise that the quality of the Irish cattle herd is being damaged very seriously by the use of these animals?
The Deputy struck out all the prosecutions for 1972. There were none.
That is not true.
Order, please. Let us not have any extraneous matter introduced.
It is because I am concerned.
On a point of personal explanation, a charge has been made by the Parliamentary Secretary. I gave very clear and definite instructions when I was Minister for Agriculture that there were to be no exceptions made anywhere under any circumstances in the matter of the prosecution of people who held unlicensed bulls.
There were no prosecutions in 1972.
Order. I am anxious to proceed with questions.
I did not want to draw attention to this but it is fair to say to Deputy Gibbons that in 1972 there were 14 combers employed but there were no prosecutions. There are the same number of combers employed now and there were 396 removed in the present year. The Minister has to give his approval within six months to institute proceedings. Obviously the Minister did not give his approval in 1972. I did not want to draw attention to this, but those are the facts.
Unless I misunderstood the Minister he is imputing to me the waiving of prosecutions against people who transgressed in this way. The contrary is the case. I gave very clear and specific instructions to the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture that there were to be no exceptions made whatever. What the Minister is trying to evade is this, that there is now widespread, wholesale use of scrub bulls. In 1972 it simply did not pay to use any, but at £5 a piece it does not matter what breeds they calve.
Question No. 19.
What the Deputy is saying is an excuse for the set up in 1972, when no approval was given and when 14 combers were employed. I even know the number of cases put up for approval. I could give the Deputy that figure also if he wants to be embarrassed still further.
Every case was approved. I challenge the Minister to produce whatever he has.
Now, now.
Next question.