asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of cows slaughtered during 1975 under the brucellosis eradication scheme; and the amount of compensation paid as a result.

The number of cows was 22,629 and compensation paid amounted to £3,512,151.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary have the figures for the previous year?

I have not that information but I can supply it to the Deputy.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that the farmers are making a genuine effort to get rid of brucellosis cattle?

I have no doubt they are, but unfortunately the scheme is being impeded at present by this dispute with the IVU which we all hope will shortly come to an end.

Question No. 7.

Could we get the numbers again?

The Fisheries Division of my Department——

Would the Parliamentary Secretary not obey the Chair?

The Ceann Comhairle called Question No. 7 and I am reading the reply to it. The Ceann Comhairle is in charge of procedure.

I shall allow Deputy Allen a brief supplementary.

The Parliamentary Secretary said that unfortunately brucellosis eradication is at present at a standstill and has been so for 18 months——

It is not at a standstill.

More or less. Is the Parliamentary Secretary hopeful that this strike will soon——

This is a separate matter. Question No. 7.

A Cheann Comhairle——

The Deputy will resume his seat.

The Parliamentary Secretary mentioned in his reply——

That may be so, but the Deputy must put down a special question in respect of the strike.

I can do that.

The Chair is protecting the Parliamentary Secretary because he does not know his stuff.