asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries when he expects the report of the review body on intervention.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Beef Review Body Report.
5.
I would hope that the review body, which was recently established to examine the operation of the beef intervention and cattle slaughter premium systems, will be able to report to me within about three months.
Having regard to the major robbery of cattle producers which took place last year—and I say "robbery" quite advisedly—does the Minister not think that he should use every endeavour to persuade the review body to come forward with their report as quickly as possible, even in a matter of weeks, because it is so urgent that this robbery should not take place again?
The Deputy knows it is extremely unusual to get a report on a matter of this kind sooner than three months. I confined them to the shortest possible reasonable period.
Surely the Minister is aware that when he gets this report he will have to take some steps to protect the people against what happened last year. Will he have enough time if he has to wait for three months? Is not this matter of extreme urgency owing to what happened last year to the ordinary producer of cattle?
What is physically possible is being done.