asked the Minister for Health if there has been an increase or decrease in the number of cases of tuberculosis reported to his Department in the past five years.

The number of new cases of tuberculosis reported to the Department of Health during each of the past five years is as follows: 1978, 1,151; 1979, 1,086; 1980, 1,152; 1981, 1,019; 1982, 975.

It will be noted that the number of new cases reported does not show any marked fluctuations in the incidence of tuberculosis during the five years in question.

Are not the statistics which the Minister has given a little misleading as to the incidence of TB? It depends on what basis you are starting from. The last statistic in relation to mortality from tuberculosis in Ireland, prepared by the Central Statistics Office, showed that we had the highest death rate from tuberculosis of any country within the EEC.

A question Deputy, please.

It was 5.6 deaths per 100,000 as against 1.3 in the Netherlands which has the lowest rate. Have the Department any explanation of this relatively high death rate compared with other countries in the EEC?

Currently I am examining the general tuberculosis policy with the organisations concerned. I propose to issue guidelines to health boards and hospitals as soon as possible. I share the Deputy's concern. The policy on the pasteurisation of milk is still being pursued vigorously by my Department. Raw milk can be a vehicle for several diseases including tuberculosis. Of major importance is the eradication of the disease in cattle which causes a major TB problem in human beings. I have asked the medical officers and the local veterinary officers to liaise on a more effective basis.