§ MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)To ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, in view of the proposed increase in the temporary staff of the Veterinary Branch, he can state on how many days during the last six months the Department's veterinary inspector at Galway had no duty to discharge; and will he say what course he. proposes to take with reference to this sinecure appointment.
(Answered by Mr. T. W. Russell.) Owing to the very satisfactory decline in the prevalence of animal contagious diseases in the county Galway district during the present year, there were approximately seventy days during which the Department's veterinary inspector stationed at Galway was not dealing with reported outbreaks. But on these days, as on other days, he was on duty in readiness to deal with such outbreaks as might arise. The presence of an inspector at Galway continues necessary, notwithstanding the partial decline of contagious animal disease. For some time to come he will have additional duties in connection with the Sheep Dipping Order of 1907.