asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if there have been any recent developments which would affect the future of the Agricultural Institute's peat and experimental station at Lullymore, Rathangan, County Kildare; whether he has finalised his proposal for the operation of this station to the end of the current year and thereafter; whether he has decided on the function or functions of the station; the total number of staff currently employed at this stage; and the total numbers likely to be employed in the station after the amalgamation of AFT and ACOT.
Written Answers. - Kildare Peat Station.
68.
At present the operation and functions of research stations like Lullymore are matters for An Foras Talúntais. Future responsibility and decisions regarding Lullymore will be a matter for the new Authority which will be set up following the amalgamation of An Foras and ACOT. The current number employed at Lullymore is 15 and the final position will also be influenced by the uptake of the Government's voluntary early retirement scheme.