asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state what conditions as regards nominations to the vendor, or otherwise, were reserved in the agreement for the purchase of Tulyar.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Tulyar
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the Irish assurance company with which the horse known as Tulyar has been insured; the amount assured for, and the amount of annual premium to be paid in respect of life cover for the animal.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if the Government have received a report from the veterinary officials concerning the fitness and general health condition of Tulyar; and if a report may be obtained at an early date from veterinary inspectors in this country to compare with that of the veterinary officers of the animal's former owner.
Mr. Walsh
I propose, with your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, to reply to Questions Nos. 112, 113 and 114 together.
These are matters for the board of directors of the Irish National Stud Company, Limited.
I wonder would the Minister consider making available a sum of £250,000 for the payment of the arbitration award to civil servants?
That is a separate question.
Very clever.
In view of the fact that such a considerable sum of money is being invested in this particular animal, would the Minister ask the National Stud to arrange that the insurance, if possible, should be carried by an Irish company?
Mr. Walsh
I do not give directions to the National Stud.
Is it not clear that the information asked for in regard to Question No. 112, as distinct from the rest of the information sought, concerns a matter for which the Minister should answer to the House inasmuch as it is on his advice that the Minister for Finance would make the money available by way of an advance to the board to buy the animal? If there was a condition inserted in the sale agreement,is that not a matter about which the Minister might properly inform the House?
Mr. Walsh
I think the board of directors will have the horse examined in the usual way.
I am referring to Question No. 112 which asks what conditions as regards nominations to the vendor were reserved in the agreement.
Mr. Walsh
That is a matter for the directors.
Inasmuch as the Minister will in due course approach Dáil Éireann for the actual money wherewith to make the purchase, it would be a reasonable thing to imagine that the conditions of the purchase should in these circumstances be communicated to the House.
Does the Minister not consider that if he is coming to Dáil Éireann to ask for this sum of money to purchase this horse, it would be necessary for Deputies to know whether in fact portion of the normal service one might expect this stallion to give at stud had been reserved specifically to the vendor?
May I ask is the Minister aware that it would require £10,000,000 to carry out all the alternative suggestions that have been made in regard to this purchase?
We are not talking about alternative suggestions.
Does the Minister not think that it is the duty of the House to insist that the insurance of this animal should be carried by an Irish insurance company? I want to know is the insurance going to be carried by an Irish company?
Mr. Walsh
Does the Deputy want the House to take over the running of the stud?
I suggest that the Minister should have a say in this matter on behalf of this House.
Perhaps the National Stud ought to take over the House.
Or take over the Deputy.
As first jockey to the State.