asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will consider the advisability of having a Gárda Síochána on duty at railway stations on cattle fair days to see that cattle are not abused, or beaten, during the loading process, as when cattle are slaughtered soon afterwards the meat shows signs of the strokes, and a good deal of the meat thereby damaged has to be destroyed?
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ILL-TREATMENT OF CATTLE.
The importance of preventing as far as possible any cruelty to animals at fairs and markets, railway stations and shipping places has not been overlooked. Special instructions were issued to the Gárda Síochána on the 18th April, 1923, setting out their duties under the Protection of Animals Act, 1911, and no complaints have been received as to the manner in which the Gárda have performed their duties.
The concluding portions of the Deputy's question contain matter to which farmers and dealers might well pay attention.
Does the Minister agree there ought to be protection both from a human and a commercial point of view?
Mr. O'HIGGINS
I quite agree there ought to be protection given.