asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is satisfied with the present TB and brucellosis eradication programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am very satisfied with the Brucellosis Eradication Scheme which has been a resounding success in recent years. A measure of the progress achieved is the fact that there are now only 1,300 herds restricted because of brucellosis compared with some 14,000 herds as recently as 1980. I am confident that the final elimination of this disease is now in sight.

Deputies will be aware from my recent public statement that I am far from satisfied with progress under the TB Eradication Scheme over the past three years. Consequently, I have set in train a comprehensive review of all aspects of the scheme. A strategy for the future will be decided in the light of that review.

(Limerick West): I accept the recent statement by the Minister for Agriculture on this matter. How soon will the review be concluded? When a conclusion has been reached and it has been passed to the Minister, will he implement the necessary decisions of the review body in order to accelerate the eradication of bovine TB?

The Minister is acutely aware of the problem created by the incidence of TB. The results of the current review should be ready within the next few months at the very latest. It is a very in-depth review and great note will certainly be taken of its recommendations.

(Limerick West): Is the Minister aware that there is not sufficient consultation with the veterinary profession in the field, the general practitioner, and also with the veterinary surgeons of the Minister's own Department in the local offices? Have they been included in this consultation and if so, by what means?

I am not in a position to say exactly what has happened in this regard but I have no doubt that consultations will be held with every organisation and individual involved.

(Limerick West): My information is that this is not being done and if it is not being done, would the Minister ensure that it will be?

While there is an overall improvement, there are still isolated areas, especially in my constituency, which cause concern. Would the Minister not agree that we should not depend solely on the veterinary officers but should ask the other agencies such as ACOT to deal specifically with these areas to try to find the cause of the problem? Many reasons have been put forward — badgers, drinking from contaminated streams, rabbits. Is it not time for us to identify the source of the infection in those areas where there is a collapse of herds due to TB?

I can promise the Deputy that every effort will be made to examine all the necessary aspects of this matter and I can guarantee that there will be action on the proposal.

Question 12.

(Limerick West): One final supplementary question, please. Is the Minister satisfied that the present legislation is strong enough to bring before the courts offending farmers and all who do not comply with the disease eradication legislation? Is he also aware that there are isolated pockets, in areas where the disease is prevalent, where no testing has been carried out?

I can assure the House that any persons, irrespective of who they are, who are found to be in breach of the animal diseases regulations will be dealt with. I draw the Deputy's attention to recent court cases and these cases will be more frequent to show how seriously the Government view the matter.

(Limerick West): Is the Minister aware——

The Deputy said he was asking his last supplementary question.

(Limerick West): This arises from the Minister's reply. Does he consider that the procedure to bring those in breach of the regulations to justice is fast enough?

In so far as one can see at present, while we are currently looking at all proposals, I would have thought in recent times that the existing procedure is adequate to deal with the situation.

Would the Minister agree——

This is the final supplementary on this question.

Would he agree that the machinery up to now has not been adequate to identify the causes of the disease in many instances in these breakdowns? Up to now, the Government were depending on the system of repeating tests, using disinfectant and washing out premises. It is time that we examined the root cause and could tell farmers the areas to watch. The people in my constituency are at present in a quandary, because they receive no information with regard to the cause of the disease. There will have to be an in-depth study to identify clearly the reason for the spread of the disease.

As I said, that is exactly what we are examining at the moment.

12.