I understand there has been some change to the Order of Business, that the Minister is now concluding and that we are going straight into Committee Stage. Will the acting Leader, Senator Haughey, indicate if that is so?
Córas Beostoic agus Feola (Amendment) Bill, 1988: Second Stage (Resumed).
Question again proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time".
Yes, that has been agreed.
When are we taking Committee Stage of the Housing Bill?
We are taking the Housing Bill after this, Senator Doyle.
I should like first to express my appreciation to the Members of the House for acceding to my request that all Stages of this Bill be taken today. This is non-contentious legislation. It was agreed by all Members in the Dáil that a speedy passage be given to the Bill and it was pointed out there that each month's delay in the passage of the Bill would cost CBF in the order of £125,000. Therefore, it is important and I want to express my appreciation to the Members for allowing the Bill to go through the Seanad this afternoon and to thank them for their positive contributions.
I am sure that CBF will be extremely heartened at the level of satisfaction expressed at their performance to date. As CBF move into a new era of activity and as we move towards a new era with the advent of the single European market by 1992, our food industry must be put on a proper footing, that our export markets must get the proper support and CBF as the main meat promotional and marketing board must get adequate finance. I appreciate a number of the reservations that were referred to, mainly in relation to the numbers of cattle and pigs. I assure the Members that every possible step is being taken to increase numbers and to promote both the cattle and pig industries at producer level because there is no point, as a number of Members pointed out, in having ultra modern processing and manufacturing facilities if we have not got an adequate number of livestock to go through those plants.
I want to record my appreciation of the positive and very encouraging support for this most important sector of the food industry.
Question put and agreed to.