asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why the brucellosis scheme was not extended to Counties Louth and Meath on the same day.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Brucellosis Scheme.
44.
The brucellosis eradication scheme is being extended county by county as quickly as resources of staff, finance, office and laboratory facilities permit. Office accommodation must be found and office staff recruited for the operation of the scheme in County Meath. I accept that practical difficulties arise from different commencing dates in adjoining counties but I do not think these would be a sufficient justification for withholding the scheme from County Louth until a start can be made in County Meath.
I might add that difficulties of this kind are inevitable as the scheme progresses but they cannot be avoided since the eradication scheme is on an area basis.
Is the Minister aware that there is a particularly large traffic in cattle across the Louth/Meath border and a decision in this case may cause some considerable hardship?
I am aware of the fact that large supplies of cattle to County Louth marts are in fact drawn from County Meath. As I said in my reply, anywhere there is a scheme of this kind in operation on an area basis there are bound to be difficulties of this kind. I am aware of the difficulties and steps are being taken to see that this awkward situation for County Meath suppliers of livestock to County Louth marts is of as short duration as possible.
Would the Minister agree that there may have been a lack of foresight in not supplying sufficient staff to enable Meath to be incorporated at the same time as Louth?
It is not a question of a lack of foresight by any means. It is a question of the resources available to the Department in accommodation, laboratories, equipment, staff and finance.