asked the Minister for Agriculture whether there is any reason to apprehend that the slaughter of cattle under two years of age for export is developing to the detriment of the long term interests of the livestock industry; and, if so, what measures he has in mind to check this tendency.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Slaughter of Young Cattle.
Mr. Walsh
Reports received by my Department do not indicate that there is cause for anxiety about the matter referred to by the Deputy.
Would the Minister direct some sort of inquiry to be conducted at canneries and dead meat plants in order to check on that question as, undoubtedly, it has been rumoured that an undue proportion of under two-year-old cattle have been slaughtered by reason of the very high prices obtaining? That may be a mistaken impression which a careful check would correct. May I suggest that the Minister should direct a spot check to be made at some convenient date so as to clarify his mind on the position?
Mr. Walsh
We have already done so. Though there are a small number of slaughterings throughout the country, there has been no extension of that slaughtering. For example, we inspected a premises at Ballaghaderreen.
I beg of the Minister not to mention one man's business.
Mr. Walsh
The Deputy asked me a question and now I am giving him the answer to it.
The gentleman in question is a staunch supporter of the Minister's Party.
Mr. Walsh
Is the Deputy not satisfied to accept my answer to his question? We have made the inquiries which the Deputy has asked for. Even though small numbers of cattle have been slaughtered, there has been no extension.
Has the Minister any information about a number of in-calf heifers being slaughtered?
Mr. Walsh
None whatever. We have no information of that kind.
Am I not correct in saying that it would be an entire departure from precedent for a Minister to refer to the business affairs of any individual firm?
Mr. Walsh
I have not gone into the business affairs. I told the Deputy that we have discovered that a certain number have been slaughtered.
It is undesirable, of course, to mention the names of business firms in this House in connection with their business or dealings.
Mr. Walsh
It was not done.
I am not saying it was.
The Minister would have done it if he was not checked by Deputy Dillon in time.