asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if 3,000 pigs per week are smuggled from the Six Counties; if so, what steps he has taken to end this practice; and if he will make a full statement on this matter.
33.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pig Smuggling.
32.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether his attention has been drawn to reports of large-scale pig smuggling across the border; and, if so, whether his Department has taken any action on the matter.
34.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if his attention has been drawn to a report of a farmers' organisation meeting which stated that 3,000 pigs per week are smuggled across the Border into the Twenty-Six Counties; and, if this is so, what steps he proposes to take to rectify the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose taking Questions Nos. 32, 33 and 34 together.
My attention has been drawn to reports of pig smuggling from the Six Counties but I am not aware of any reliable estimate of its extent. The statutory prohibition on the import of pigs is, of course, enforced by the Revenue Commissioners and my Department has been keeping in close touch with them regarding the question of cross-Border smuggling.