asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of young cattle which may be imported for fattening to the EEC in 1979; and if he has sought to have the figure reduced.

The number of young male cattle which may be imported for fattening into the EEC in 1979 is 230,000. I opposed the original Commission's figure of 250,000 at a Council of Minister's meeting on 19 December 1978 and succeeded in having it reduced to 230,000.

Where do they come from? Do they come mostly from Yugoslavia?

I have no information on that.

Why not? I thought the Minister of State opposed it. Surely he must know where they came from if he opposed it.

I do not. It was the Minister who opposed it.

I am sure the Minister knew and if he knew and the Minister of State is acting for him he should be able to tell us.

I know some of them came from Yugoslavia. That is all the information I have here.