§ MR. DUCKHAMasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he can state the date at which the foot and mouth disease was last year introduced into Ireland, and from whence; whether he can furnish the number of cattle, of sheep, and of pigs that have been attacked since its introduction and up to the 24th March; also the number of diseased animals that have died, or been killed, or recovered, up to 24th March last; and, whether regulations similar to those enforced in England have been rigidly enforced in Ireland to check the spread of the disease?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, there was no case of foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland last year. The outbreak occurred towards the end of January in this year. The first case appeared in a bull brought from Westmoreland; but it is believed that the outbreak was caused by infection brought to Dublin by drovers who had attended markets in affected districts in Lancashire. The numbers of animals attacked up to March 24 were—cattle, 2,230; sheep, 311; and swine, 91. Up to the same date, 88 animals were killed, 15 died, and 1,732 recovered. The latest Returns show some diminution in the number of cases. Regulations intended to check the spread of the disease are enforced as in England.