To ask the Minister for Agriculture why the shipment of 30 horses from Dublin, direct to France, by the ship "Banba," was stopped by the D.A.T.I., in face of the fact that the Irish Consul at Paris had been doing his utmost to promote direct trade with France in horses?
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - EXPORT OF HORSES TO FRANCE.
The shipment of horses from Dublin direct to France by the ship "Banba" was stopped by the Department because when the fittings of the vessel were inspected by the Department's officers, it was found that they failed, to a serious extent, to comply with the arrangements required by the Transit of Horses, Asses and Mules (Ireland) Order of 1913, Amendment Order of 1921. The object of the Order is to ensure that, as far as is practicable, animals be humanely treated on vessels at sea. I may say the distance between the decks of this vessel was something under 6 feet, and it was quite impossible to allow horses into it.