§ 25. Mr. SHEEHANasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he will consider the advisability of removing the foot-and-mouth restrictions from the Millstreet district, seeing its complete immunity from disease; whether he is aware that the refusal of permission to hold the local pig market and cattle fair during the past week caused injury to the farmers and labourers all around; and, having regard to all the circumstances and to the hardship to shopkeepers as well as farmers and others, he will cause immediate consent to be given to the holding of the weekly calf market upon which so many people in the Millstreet area are dependent?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The Department regret any hardship or inconvenience resulting from the fact that the restrictions in Millstreet district necessarily prevent the exposure of cattle and swine at local fairs and markets. On review of the circumstance, however, the Department are advised it would not be safe yet to withdraw such restrictions, particularly in view of the outbreaks of the disease that have occurred in the Coachford neighbourhood.
§ Mr. SHEEHANCan the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope that these restrictions will be withdrawn?
§ Mr. BIRRELLMy right hon. Friend is now in Ireland, and I know that he is looking into the matter.