asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether he will take immediate steps to obtain an export market for store cattle and calves in order to improve the price of these animals on the home market.

(Cavan): When the recent steps taken by the EEC Commission to restrict imports and to encourage exports of cattle and beef begin to have effect it is expected that the general market situation should improve.

Surely the Minister does not accept what was published very widely in the Irish Independent and other newspapers last week that imports from third countries are being restricted? It is not the imports that are being restricted—

A Supplementary Question, please.

Surely the Minister is aware that the actual flow from third countries has not been reduced?

(Cavan): My information is that recent measures taken by the EEC Commission to strengthen the Community market for cattle and beef include the requirement that importers of frozen beef into the Community have to purchase a corresponding quantity of intervention beef. Purchasers of beef from intervention have the right to import but they are not obliged to do so.

It will have no effect at all.

Besides depending on the pious hopes raised by the Minister, will the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries make any provision to help farmers to keep cattle alive by way of making provision for feedingstuffs?

That is a separate question.

(Cavan): There is no serious problem at this time of the year.