asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the number of cattle exported from customs posts of the County of Donegal since the imposition of the British tariff on cattle; also the value of such cattle and the amount of bounty paid or still to be paid on such cattle.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Cattle from Donegal.
Dr. Ryan
The number of cattle exported through County Donegal frontier customs stations during the period from 5th October to the 30th ultimo, in respect of which claims for subsidies have been received and discharged by the Department of Agriculture, was 12,785. The accepted valuation for bounty purposes was £95,150, and the amount of bounty paid £9,550.
In view of that, there is a difference of 2½ per cent. there. Would the Minister not consider it fair to transfer that sum to the Minister for Local Government and Public Health so as to enable him to pay the original agricultural grant which was recently reduced?
Dr. Ryan
I am afraid we cannot go back on last year's accounts now.
The Minister must admit that Donegal has lost that much money and that this figure should be put against the reduction in the agricultural grant.