asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will give an assurance to pedigree breeders that they will be adequately compensated for the death of pedigree cattle arising as a result of treatment in connection with the warble fly eradication scheme.

The insurance arrangements operated by my Department in connection with the Warble Fly Eradication Scheme adequately cover all cattle, including pedigree animals, treated under the scheme.

Is the Minister satisfied that full value will be paid to pedigree stock holders?

That is the idea— full and adequate compensation will be paid, provided the terms of the scheme are complied with.

When compensation was paid in the past, the compensation for cattle was in fact generally related to their commercial value. It was not paid on the basis of the extra value attached to pedigree cattle. Does the present scheme cover the extra money, the increased value of pedigree cattle?

Certainly.

That is good.

In the TB eradication scheme, only the full commercial value was paid.

Why should the Deputy try to bedevil the situation? I have told the Deputy that pedigree stock owners will be fully and adequately compensated on the basis of their value as pedigree cattle. It is important that farmers should have that assurance because it is important that as many farmers as possible will get their cattle dressed. The Deputy should not try to infer that they will not be compensated.

The reason I want to be reassured is that the owners want to be reassured.

Why bring the Bovine TB Scheme into this matter? This is a seperate scheme and I have assured the Deputy that adequate insurance cover is provided.

Could the Minister state how long the insurance cover lasts after the treatment?

Every herd owner has been notified of the exact conditions and that he must notify the authorities within a certain period of time.

But does the cover hold for a considerable period afterwards?

If the death of the animal is notified to us within 24 hours, then the farmer is covered.

If the animal dies after 24 hours, they get nothing?

It is 24 hours after he dies.

Would it not be correct to say the number of claims expected is very small?

I am grateful to the Deputy for that constructive contribution. The number of claims expected is very small and the number of claims received is very small.

The Minister is in good humour.

I am always in good humour if Deputies are constructive.