asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether he is aware that 12 boys from the counties supplying milk to the Dublin sales area recently underwent training in a course on AI; that they all passed the course with honours; and that in spite of this none of them has been offered employment with the Dublin Milk Board, while boys from southern counties have been taken on; and if he will give the reason for this and indicate when these boys will be offered employment.

The employment of inseminators, provided, of course, that they are suitably qualified, is entirely a matter for the artificial insemination stations. I have no function in the day to day operations of the Dublin AI station.

Would the Minister, who is answering for the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, agree that in regard to the Dublin station, you should not have to come from certain southern counties? Would the Minister not agree that this is unfair?

I am not clear as to the implication of the question.

I hold it unfair that all the people employed in the AI station in the Dublin District Milk Board area seemingly have to come from certain counties and the local people are not given an opportunity. That is what has happened in the case of the 12 people employed there.

I have no knowledge of this.

If the Minister inquires he will find out.

I have indicated that the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries does not take any part in the day to day operations of the Dublin AI station.