MR. F. A. O'KEEFFE (Limerick)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been directed to the report of the proceedings of the Limerick Board of Guardians on Wednesday last, at which two resolutions were passed, as follows, first:—
That, having regard to the statements of the representatives of the pig trade in the South of Ireland, that there was no reason for continuing in force the recent Order of the Privy Council in reference to the sale of swine in Ireland;381 and, secondly—That a resident inspector be appointed for Limerick by the Veterinary Department, having power to re-issue movement licences, and to extend the time for export of existing licences, and that the cost of inspecting and marking be defrayed out of the public funds;and what effect will be given to those resolutions?
MR. J. MORLEYAttention has been directed to the report of the proceedings of the Limerick Board of Guardians on Wednesday last, at which the two resolutions referred to in the question were passed. In regard to the first resolution it should be borne in mind that the Order has only been in force since the 11th February. The effect of its working is being closely watched by the Veterinary Department, and if, as I have already stated, it should be found that unnecessary restrictions are imposed on the bacon industry, the question of their modification will be considered. With respect, to the second resolution, it does not appear that there is any necessity to station an Inspector of the Department in Limerick for the purpose of issuing movement licences; but the Government will be prepared to approve the appointment by the Local Authority of any suitable person for the purpose. The cost of inspection and any other expenses that may be necessary for the carrying out of the Order in the Union are payable by the Local Authority as a part of their expenditure in the execution of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, and the Orders there under. One half of the amount of such expenses will be recouped to them by the Veterinary Department from the General Cattle Diseases Fund. The marking of swine should be done by and at the expense of the owners.