asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that cattle on Tory Island, County Donegal have not yet been called attested despite the fact that the island is in an attested TB area; and that islanders suffer from financial loss by being unable to market their cattle; and, if so, if he will take immediate steps to remedy the position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tory Island Cattle.
8.
Because of difficulties in having the testing of herds there completed through the normal BTE Scheme procedure, Tory Island has not yet been attested. I have now arranged to have the testing done by a veterinary officer of my Department as soon as possible. In the meantime, if any islander wishes to sell cattle he will be facilitated as far as possible by my Department.
Would the Minister say that the attestation will be done within the next five or ten days, weather permitting?
I was not aware, and I doubt if the Department is aware, of the existence of these difficulties. The local practitioner was anxious to do the work and the people on the island were anxious that the work should be carried out by him. However, he is a busy man and short of staff and he was not prepared to take the risk of sending a man out there who might not get back for a long time. All these problems are associated with this Island on which there are 48 or 50 herds but they should not create difficulty in getting the work completed.
The Minister will appreciate that unless it is done early in the summer, it will be impossible to do it.
We have possibilities in mind that may be helpful to those who are affected.