Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 236: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of cattle and calves exported from the Republic of Ireland to continental Europe in 2006 by direct roll-on, roll-off ferry from Ireland to the Continent, by ferry and road via Britain using the UK land-bridge route and by other means. [9271/07]

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the minimum age at which calves can be exported from the Republic of Ireland to continental Europe; the number of calves under six weeks old that were exported from the Republic of Ireland to continental Europe in 2006; and the number of calves under six weeks old that travelled from the Republic of Ireland to the continent in 2006 by ferry and road via Britain using the UK land-bridge route. [9272/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 236 and 237 together.

Two Roll on-Roll off vessels are approved for the carriage of livestock including cattle, sheep and pigs. Horses may be transported on these vessels also under certain specified conditions. One of the vessels is authorised to carry 21 approved livestock vehicles and the second vessel is authorised to carry 4 approved livestock vehicles. Both vessels operate on the Rosslare to Cherbourg route. There are no vessels approved at present to transport cattle from here to Great Britain but the UK land-bridge route via Larne is used for some exports to the continent.

The transport of calves on journeys over 8 hours is permitted only in respect of calves that are older than fourteen days.

A total of 251,203 cattle of all ages including calves were exported to all destinations in 2006 of which 222,350 were exported to continental Europe. In 2006 a total of 91,569 calves less than 6 weeks old were exported from Ireland to continental Europe. Details of the routes used for these exports are not readily available.