Will the Minister agree in regard to the continued high incidence, particularly of tuberculosis, and the expenditure this year of £24 ½ million on tuberculosis and brucellosis, that the manner in which these moneys have been expended, particularly in the area of brucellosis in the last 12 years, is a source of serious scandal and a gross abuse of Exchequer moneys? It was spent in appallingly bad efforts to eliminate these two serious diseases.

I should like to put the record right. We have been fairly successful in regard to brucellosis ——

I accept that.

—— and one can see finality there, but the other one is presenting difficulties. At present we are experimenting with this blitz idea — I will take Deputy Bruton's suggestion aboard with regard to the redeployment of staff — and we want other matters, such as EEC aid to step up the scheme considered. We also want to review grants. All those aspects are currently under examination.

Will the Minister not agree that £68 million net has been spent in the past 12 years in an effort to eradicate brucellosis and we still have a relatively high incidence — I accept that it is declining at long last? Will the Minister agree that we have spent £125 million net over the period of eradication of tuberculosis? The way these moneys were expended, even the way those moneys are being expended today — leaving aside elements of compensation — in any other country would result in a public judicial inquiry as to the way politicians directed the money and the way the money was handled. Will the Minister in all conscience agree that the situation has been appalling?

Of course the situation has not been as successful in regard to bovine T.B. as we would wish, but the expenditure on brucellosis eradication was fully justified because that has been a successful campaign. Spending the money is important in regard to a disease of this kind.

£70 million? It could have been done for £20 million, and the Minister is aware of that.