Vol. 455 No. 1
164 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when he will publish the results of the random sample of TB testing which his Department has undertaken since 1989 in order to measure the performance of the Department as against private vets and provide a yardstick of TB levels in the national herd; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11807/95]
Random samples of the rate of disclosure of tuberculin reactor cattle have been carried out since 1989. The objectives of these random samples are: 1. to obtain an estimate of the rate of disclosure of reactors to the single intradermal comparative tuberculin test as conducted by veterinary inspectors and 2. using the estimate obtained in (1) to measure year to year changes in the rate of disclosure of reactors.
While it has not been the practice to publish these results, I am prepared to consider doing this in future.
165 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason a final reply has not been issued to written representations to his Department dated 13 October 1994 on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who applied for compensation in respect of losses incurred by him in the sale of animals in view of the failure by his Department to inform him that he could apply for a permit to move his animals; his views on the statement from the Teagasc adviser that the losses incurred were due to circumstances outside his control; and if he will agree to have compensation paid as a matter of urgency. [11819/95]
I regret that, due to an administrative oversight, a final reply did not issue to the Deputy's representations in this case. However, the claim for compensation had been addressed in direct correspondence between the person concerned and an official of my Department.
My Department did not fail to inform the person concerned that he could apply for a permit to move animals; indeed, the restriction notice served on 21 April, 1994 states that permits could be applied for. No application for permits was made. I have no comment to make on the opinion of a Teagasc adviser.
The restriction was withdrawn as soon as possible after the results of analysis came to hand. There is no statutory provision for the award of compensation. In these circumstances, no claim for compensation can be entertained.
