I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given to me under Standing Order 20 (3) (a) and the name of the Member in each case:
(1) Deputy Durkan — The conflict that exists between the spirit of the Programme for Government as agreed by both Government parties, with particular reference to retention and expansion of indigenous jobs, and the apparent approval by the Government of Bord na Móna's proposals to close Lullymore briquette factory with a loss of 150 jobs; (2) Deputy Connaughton — The problem relating to funding by the Department of Education of the proposed extension to St. Mary's College, Ballygar, County Galway; (3) Deputy Flanagan — allegations of serious ill-treatment of Irish greyhounds exported to Spain and the need for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to investigate matters with a view to addressing the problem; (4) Deputy Hogan — The need for the Minister for Industry and Commerce to outline the measures that will be taken to ensure that food prices will fall as a result of the recent Common Agricultural Policy reform agreement; (5) Deputy Kitt — When grants will be paid for boundary fencing, grading and levelling and toilet facilities for the handicapped, at Crumlin national school, County Galway; (6) Deputy Farrelly — The reason approval has not been forthcoming from the EC for the turkey processing factory at Ardee, County Louth, where 300 jobs will be created, and the steps the Government intend to take in this regard; (7) Deputy Flaherty — The crisis in funding of the home help service in the Ballymun area which has resulted in no new referrals being accepted, a waiting list for service and the collapse of the whole service by October-November if the crisis is unresolved and (8) Deputy Garland — In view of the undoubted benefits to Ireland's economy as set out in a recent ESRI report, the reason Ireland has opposed the proposed energy tax at EC level.
I have selected for discussion the matters raised by Deputies Hogan, Flanagan and Farrelly.