asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether, in view of the substantial proportion of deaths from tuberculosis which are attributed to bovine origin, and in view of the fact that an effective system of pasteurisation would eradicate this form of infection, he will take the necessary steps to ensure that milk intended for human consumption will be pasteurised.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Pasteurisation.
There is no separate classification of deaths due to tuberculosis of the bovine type, and I am not aware of any definite authority for the statement in the first part of the question that a substantial proportion of deaths from tuberculosis is attributed to bovine origin. Under the Milk and Dairies Act, every dairyman who is engaged in the sale of milk for human consumption in the form of milk must be registered with the local sanitary authority, and registration is not granted unless the premises and methods of production and distribution are satisfactory. The animals, premises and methods of production and sale are subject to regular inspection by the sanitary authority's medical and veterinary staff. The sanitary authorities are also empowered to require the pasteurisation of milk sold for human consumption.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not prepared to take steps to ensure that milk for human consumption will be pasteurised?
The question of the pasteurisation of milk for human consumption rests with the sanitary authorities.
How many cows does Deputy Hannigan keep?
This is, in fact, one of the reserved functions of the local authorities. If it had not been a reserved function, Deputy Hannigan would, probably, have accused us of being bureaucratic or of curtailing the powers of the local authorities. The recently elected local authorities could do a very good day's work in this connection and the Minister would be reluctant to interfere with them without being satisfied that he had good grounds for so doing.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that this is a reserved function, not of the local authorities, but of the City Manager?
No.
Within the past few months, a resolution was passed by the Dublin Corporation urging the City Manager to take the necessary steps to ensure that the milk supply to the city would be pasteurised. What has the Department of Local Government done in that connection?
The matter rests with the local authorities. It is a reserved function under the managerial Act.
Is the attitude of the Parliamentary Secretary that the Department of Local Government and Public Health have no interest in securing a clean milk supply to the City of Dublin?
That is not a supplementary question.