Vol. 395 No. 7
65 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans he has to promote and develop the potato-growing sector in 1990, with a view to ensuring that Ireland becomes and remains self-sufficient in the supply of potatoes for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
An Bord Glas, set up by the Government to confront the problems of the horticulture sector, published a five-year "Programme for the Development of Horticulture", which included ware potatoes, and completed this programme with the publication in December 1989 of a "Programme for the Development of the Seed Potato Industry".
The Deputy will be aware that the Bill to establish An Bord Glas as a statutory body recently passed through this House and is at present with An Seanad. I expect the Bill to be enacted soon and the board members of the new statutory body to be appointed shortly afterwards. The strategy to implement the five-year programme, which is quite comprehensive is already under way and will be a primary function of the new board, which will work in close consultation with my Department and the various other interests involved.
