308 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when cattle tags will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the reason for the delay in issuing tags. [9805/97]

A total of 60 tags have been issued to date to the person in question. He did not, as instructed, register on an ongoing basis during 1996 the majority of animals born in 1996; registration was not completed until early 1997. Failure to register as required in 1996 resulted in him receiving a nominal supply of tags in 1997. He has recently applied for 45 extra tags and has had the request approved. He can expect to receive the extra tags in approximately one week to ten days.