I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 66 together.
A number of factors have been affecting the prices for early Irish potatoes recently. These include the availability of unusually large supplies of good quality potatoes from last year's bumper crop, increased supplies of Irish earlies and imports from a number of countries including Cyprus.
Following the recent decision of the Court of Justice in regard to the import into this country of potatoes which are already in free circulation in another member state my Department have sought authority from the EC Commission to restrict temporarily imports of potatoes originating in third countries. A decision from the Commission is awaited.