asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will establish who is responsible for the outbreak of tuberculosis infection in the herd of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he is aware that complaints were made on the matter and that now an outbreak has taken place from mixing which is not controlled by a 30-day test.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clare Herd TB Infection.
18.
I am aware of the history of the case to which the Deputy refers. It is a matter of concern to me that it has not been possible to deal effectively with the disease outbreak in the herd in question because of the herdowner's refusal to allow the necessary retest of his herd to be carried out. Persistence in this refusal is liable to endanger his entire herd and may also lead to court proceedings.
Investigations by my Department indicate that the most likely source of bovine TB infection is lateral spread from neighbouring herds. There are, in fact, a few infected herds in the particular neighbourhood, and it is not possible, therefore, to say precisely where the infection in any of the herds involved originated.
When the Land Commission were devising the scheme which brought about this outbreak through mixing, did they consider livestock health? Are they satisfied that they took the necessary steps to reduce the risk to the neighbouring herd?
The landowner claimed that by increasing the volume of use and the traffic on the right of way, the Land Commission contributed to the problem. The right of way was investigated thoroughly by the Land Commission and they found that the complaint had no merit. They informed him that they had no responsibility in the matter and that they were not prepared to fence the right of way.
Can the Minister say whether there was an existing right of way prior to the introduction of this scheme? Was the information supplied by the Land Commission accurate? In this case I believe the information supplied was inaccurate, and that a mixing which resulted in an outbreak of TB——
That is not a question. That is a reply.
I am asking did the Land Commission take proper precautions to prevent mixing?
There was an old-established right of way which was the only means of access to both dwelling houses. I want to try to avoid mentioning names. The landowner in question wished the Land Commission to fence the right of way which was already in existence before the allotment scheme was prepared. Having investigated it, the Land Commission said it was not their job.