My Department has eight State agencies-bodies operating under its aegis: An Bord Bia, An Bord Glas, Bord na gCon, Irish Horseracing Authority, Irish National Stud, the National Milk Agency, Teagasc and the Western Development Commission.
My Department is maintaining contact with these State agencies-bodies aimed at monitoring progress towards year 2000 compliance. Five of these agencies expect to be year 2000 compliant by the end of 1998. The remaining three expect to complete their year 2000 programmes in early to mid 1999.
The expected total cost of compliance in these agencies-bodies is £469,000. I am satisfied that these agencies will complete their year 2000 compliance programmes on target.