asked the Minister for Agriculture whether it will be necessary to control the sale of fresh meat in Ireland owing to the serious decline in the cattle population.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Fresh Meat.
No. The slaughter of calves was arrested in 1948 and there is every reason to expect increased supplies of calves for calf-rearing in future. I am glad to be able to inform the Deputy that the number of in-calf heifers in 1948 was 128,247, the highest number ever reported since statistics were first recorded in Ireland for cattle in this category.
Is the Minister aware that the slaughter of 25,000,000 calves was facilitated and encouraged by the late Government?
That is not a supplementary question.
In reply to the Deputy, I am so aware, but I cannot now open the graves and dig them up again.
We did not slaughter all the sheep.