§ MR. CALLAN (for MR. GRAY)asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether cattle disease has recently again broken out in the Phœnix Park, Dublin; whether the Park has in consequence been "closed" under the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act by the Board of Guardians of the North Dublin Union; 978 whether, when this was done before, the Government did not seek to have the closing order set aside; and, whether, in view of the constant recurrence of disease in the Phœnix Park, Government, instead of endeavouring to have the provisions against the spread of infection more relaxed, will consider the propriety of excluding cattle and sheep altogether therefrom for a reasonable period?
§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSONSir, there have been three cases of pleuropneumonia in the Phœnix Park since the 27th of June last. The Guardians have not declared the entire Park to be closed under the Contagious Diseases Act in consequence of the infection, but only a field at Whitefields has been so declared. The Irish Government declared the Park to be free from pleuro-pneumonia by Order dated the 27th of May last, no case of the disease having occurred therein since the 30th of October, 1873. The Irish Government does not consider that there is any necessity at present for excluding cattle and sheep altogether from the Park.