asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that one of the cows recently seized by a rate collector in Fenor district, near Tramore, County Waterford, and held in Dungarvan Pound, has died, and that others are on the verge of collapse; whether he will have inquiries made as to the cause of the death of the cow and the deterioration of the remaining cattle.

My inquiries go to show that the cow to which the Deputy refers died of pneumonia. I have no reason to think that there was any neglect on the part of the pound-keeper or that the impounded cattle were other than well cared for.

Has the Minister any idea as to the quantity of food given to those cattle while they were in the pound, because when I saw them on the Saturday on which they were sold they appeared to be underfed?

They were well fed, I believe.

Has the Minister made any enquiries as to the quantity of food the cattle got and the treatment they received while in the pound?

The report is that they were well cared for in regard to food and water.

In view of the representations made by Deputy Ward, will the Minister make further inquiries with a view to ascertaining what was the actual food received while they were impounded, because there is an allegation of very grave abuse?