asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is yet in a position to indicate the prospects for this season for the successful marketing of our certified seed potatoes and surplus ware potatoes.

The Irish Potato Marketing Company Limited is actively engaged in endeavouring to find markets for both seed and ware potatoes of this year's crop. It is, however, too early in the season to give any definite information as to marketing prospects.

Are there any reliable indications available which would enable the Minister to form some opinion as to the prospects of the successful marketing of our potatoes?

As I have told the Deputy already, the marketing committee are actively engaged in trying to find markets and it is too early in the season in any event.

Surely they have made contracts for seed potatoes abroad.

Not yet, it is too early.