andMr. McMenamin asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in connection with the bovine T.B. eradication scheme, he will consider extending to Counties Leitrim and Donegal the special measures which are at present in operation in County Sligo for the eradication of that disease, including payment of double grants for the erection of byres, so that, with the scheme fully operating in those three counties, an extensive area will be formed from which T.B. free stock will be available as stores.

Our resources are already very heavily committed in the present areas of intensive eradication and I regret that at this stage it would not be possible to add to these areas. The position will be reconsidered as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state, in connection with the bovine T.B. eradication scheme, (i) what percentage of cattle tested in County Clare were found to be positive reactors, and (ii) what was the average amount of compensation paid for cattle slaughtered on account of T.B.

The answer to the first part of the question is 12.8 per cent. for the period to the 19th February, 1955.

The average compensation paid in County Clare during the same period worked out at £37 2s. 8d. per head.