asked the Minister for Agriculture what are the prospects for the cattle trade in 1961; and whether the recent improvement in prices is likely to continue.

Prophecy in a matter of this kind is always difficult and hazardous but the general opinion of persons with experience of the cattle trade is that the prospects, particularly for attested stock, should be reasonably satisfactory this year. There appear to be several grounds for hoping that recent price improvements can be maintained but short-term fluctuations cannot of course be ruled out.

May we take it, then, that the view expressed by the Minister for Transport and Power and by Deputy de Valera in the House on a recent occasion that the livestock industry of this country was finished is no longer approved by the present Government?

I never said it.

Indeed he did.

It was said in 1956.

It may have been almost finished at that time.

It will never be finished when you did not finish it. You killed 100,000 calves a year.

Conversions are always welcome.

Question No. 24.