asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of prosecutions made by the Garda since the introduction of the latest livestock disease eradication programme.

Prosecutions initiated and pursued by the gardaí are handled at local level and for this reason the information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available. This information is, however, being compiled and when it becomes available I shall communicate with the Deputy.

When would the Minister expect to have the information?

I do not know but I think it could not take a great length of time.