asked the Minister for Agriculture the total cost to the Exchequer of the schemes to eradicate brucellosis and tuberculosis in the national herd since these schemes were initiated.

The net cost to the Exchequer of the bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis eradication schemes, exclusive of administration costs, to 31 December 1981 was £170.4 million.

What is the figure inclusive of administration costs?

I do not have the figure for administration costs but I can get it for the Deputy.

I asked the Minister for the total cost. I did not exclude administration. The Minister should have that information available.

I can give the Deputy that figure, it is £240.5 million, the total net cost being £170.4 million.

Given that the Minister has indicated that he expects to eradicate brucellosis over the next five years and that very substantial progress in regard to tuberculosis has been made in the same period, although it will not be eradicated, will the Minister indicate what he expects to be the further cost to the Exchequer between now and the date of the eradication?

That is precisely what we are doing in regard to the acceleration programme I mentioned. We are drawing up new costings and a new scheme to operate over the next two years. We will be looking at the reactor compensation grants and so on. I will be in a better position to give the Deputy a definitive answer on that in about two months time.

Will the Minister have the projected costs?

Yes.

In regard to the £240 million which the Minister mentioned — an incredible figure — I should like to know how much money was spent on fees to the profession involved during that period?

I do not have a breakdown.

Will the Minister agree that the amount of money concerned, relative to the number of animals and personnel involved, is a very striking one and that it should be on the public record?

I will be glad to put it on the public record.

It is known; I had a written reply about it.

I am talking about today.

We must move on to the next question.

In the light of the figures disclosed by the Minister he should give the figure I have requested.

The Deputy should ask for it in the proper manner, like Deputy Bruton did.

I have asked the Minister for the information.

We must move to question No. 6.