§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL (Kerry, W.)To ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, seeing the importance of the-breed of Kerry cattle and the necessity of keeping the breed pure, he will take any steps to establish a breeding centre in some part in the County Kerry.
(Answered by Mr. T. W. Russell.) The Department of Agriculture have recognised the importance of the breed of Kerry cattle by establishing a dairy herd book, in which the owners of animals that conform to type and are of good milking quality can have them entered, so that their progeny may be eligible for service premiums. All the breeders of Kerry cattle may participate in this scheme, and the benefits likely to accrue therefrom are, in the opinion of the Department, much greater than would follow 1457 from the establishment of a breeding centre as suggested in the Question.