asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state, in respect of the importation of Charollais cattle (1) the number of licences for importation he has already issued, (2) the name and place of residence of each person to whom a licence has been granted and the number of cattle authorised on each licence, (3) the conditions under which such importation has been allowed, (4) whether further licences will be given and, if so, for how many cattle and on what conditions, and (5) the names and addresses of those who applied for licences and to whom licences were not granted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Import of Charollais Cattle.
46.
Our primary interest in importing Charollais into this country is to improve the quality and suitability of our commercial cattle through the use of Charollais bulls. As a necessary part of this programme, I have decided that we should endeavour to build up a number of pedigree Charollais herds here to provide us with a supply of first-class bulls for crossing, and also to enable us, in time, to become an exporter of pedigree Charollais cattle and semen. It seems to me that the best way to do this is for my Department to establish a first-class pedigree herd and, side by side with it, to permit the establishment of a limited number of private pedigree herds by individual breeders. Last year, my Department imported 18 Charollais animals from France. This year, in addition to a further import by my Department, I have also authorised the establishment of private herds by five persons who are, in my view, capable and qualified to establish and maintain first-class pedigree herds. Applications from other suitable persons will be considered whenever a further importation is being made.
The number of animals involved in the current importation is 50, 15 of which are for my own Department and 35 for private importers. It is not the practice to give particulars relating to individuals in cases such as this.
The conditions under which the cattle are being purchased and imported are detailed and lengthy, and I am arranging to have copies made available in the Library. It will be noted that all costs and expenses are being borne by the importers and that they are required to give an undertaking not to re-export the animals they import.
Can the Minister say how many of the importers concerned have previous experience of pedigree cattle breeding and how many of them have exhibited such pedigree cattle?
I am satisfied that all of them have experience in, and a knowledge of, breeding, and I am also satisfied that all the people selected are capable of carrying out the very stringent conditions which I have laid down.
Is the Minister not aware that it is well known throughout the country that only two of the people concerned have any experience of pedigree cattle breeding, and one of them has vast experience in breeding Herefords and Aberdeen Angus, that another has good experience of pedigree cattle breeding and that the other three concerned have as yet given no evidence in this country of any experience in the breeding of cattle, although they may have experience in breeding horses?
The Deputy will appreciate that it was very difficult for me to select these people. This is a very expensive and long-term enterprise——
And a very profitable one.
Perhaps it may be profitable ultimately, but as I said, the range of people from whom I could select was very limited, because, first of all, of the capital expenditure involved and also the long time involved before any return is available from that capital expenditure, the type of facility which the person is able to provide, the character of the person concerned and a number of other qualifications of that sort.
Is the Minister— and the Taoiseach—not aware that there is such grave public disquiet about the selection by the Minister for Agriculture—I presume he made this selection himself—that nothing short of a public inquiry into the qualifications of the people concerned will satisfy the public conscience?
I am not so aware.
Does the Minister know whether any of the cattle breeding societies have been refused a licence?
No. As far as I am aware, no cattle breeding society has applied. Another pedigree society has applied for the importation of Danish Reds which I have permitted.
But no cattle breeding society has been refused a licence for Charollais?
As far as I am aware, no.
Could the Minister tell us, to be specific, what qualifications has Major Gardner to be nominated as one of the five persons to bring Charollais cattle into the country? Is the man even domiciled in this country or has he ever bred cattle in his life?
I am not prepared to discuss the qualifications of any one of the individuals concerned. As I said, I am satisfied that all the people selected are in a position to fulfil the requirements I have laid down.
Surely the Minister realises that the potential of exclusive imports of this character, of a new breed which received the approbation of the Department of Agriculture, is very substantial from the profit point of view? Does the Minister realise that if citizens of this country who have given long service to the cattle breeding industry are deemed to be suitable persons for participation in this scheme, but people who have never participated in cattle breeding and who perhaps are not even domiciled in the country, are casually nominated, it behoves the Minister to inform the House on what grounds he chose these particular individuals? I specifically ask him now on what grounds he chose Major Gardner.
I have already indicated quite clearly the grounds on which I selected the five individuals concerned. I am not prepared—and I think it would be a very bad precedent to establish—to discuss the merits or demerits of any of the applicants.
What qualifications are necessary?
Question No. 47.
I have already indicated the qualifications.
The Minister has not.
Order. Next question.
When there are newspapers, we shall have plenty of this question.
Mr. O'Malley
Major Gardner did more for Charollais cattle than any man in Ireland, and many years ago, too.
Question No. 47.
In what country did he do it?
The Minister should be allowed to answer the next question, which I have called more than once.