asked the Minister for Agriculture if it is proposed to accede to the request of the Irish fresh meat exporters' society for an immediate ban on the exports of live cattle to the Continent with a view to the alleviation of the situation regarding meat prices, so as to permit them to remain competitive on export markets and to ensure that there will be no disemployment of meat factory employees.

As I indicated in my reply to questions in this matter by Deputies Donegan and McQuillan on Tuesday last, 10th March, I have no intention of restricting the export of live cattle.