asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans, if any, he has to increase beef cow numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

24.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in announcing his much publicised beef cow grants scheme.

36.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his new proposals for the beef sector in the light of the latest Central Statistics Office figures on cattle numbers, the failure of his previously announced plans in this regard and the imminence of the 1988 breeding season.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 24 and 36 together.

The most recent data from the Central Statistics Office show that while the total cattle breeding herd declined by 1.4 per cent in 1987, the numbers of heifers in calf increased by 1.5 per cent. Non-dairy cows plus in-calf heifers showed an increase of 4 per cent.

Following recent discussions with the interests concerned, the technical aspects of a scheme for maintaining the national beef cow herd, including the financing of it, have been largely settled. I will circulate the details of the scheme as I expect it to operate to the organisations involved this week. The scheme will provide the backdrop to the campaign for an increase in suckler cows which was successfully conducted by ACOT last season and which is being relaunched shortly. The ACOT drive to reduce calf mortality through better management will also contribute significantly.

I am also having an examination carried out of the scope for encouraging the production of once-calved heifer beef and of the possibilities for exploiting the new technology becoming available in the form of embryo transfer.

Does the Minister accept that, taking the latest figures of the livestock census, the number of cattle in the country is down to its lowest level since 1972? On that basis does he accept that the year of inactivity, of promised announcements, and so on should be put behind and that he should engage in a positive, real programme of action to cope with this national herd crisis?

The Deputy does not seem to have heard me. I said that the total cattle breeding herd declined by 1.4 per cent in 1987, which incidentally was much less than the decline in 1986 and previously when nothing was done.

Excuses.

There was nothing done in 1987 either.

Let me say that the numbers of heifers in-calf increased by 1.5 per cent and non-dairy cows plus in-calf heifers showed an increase of 4 per cent. That is the reality. Therefore, it is somewhat strange for the Deputy to complain about inactivity in the face of that when, for four years — when the decline had already begun — his Government did nothing about it.

We heard that before.

Does the Minister accept that we have a national crisis, that the total breeding herd is at its lowest level since 1972 while the Minister merely comes up with excuses?

The Minister launched the scheme four times and it fell on its face.

Question No. 37, please.