asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy when the inter-departmental committee on cutaway bogs are expected to report; their composition and terms of reference; the number and date of meetings they have held; if submissions from outside bodies have been or will be invited; and if the report will be published.

The inter-departmental committee to investigate the best use of Bord na Móna cutaway bogs are comprised of representatives of the Departments of Industry, Commerce and Energy, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and of Bord na Móna. Their terms of reference are to investigate the best possible uses of Bord na Móna cutaway bogs with a view to ensuring that they are properly developed and used in the best national interest, and to supervise and co-ordinate whatever technical studies are considered necessary in this connection. The committee have met on four occasions, namely, 9 December 1977 and 25 May, 11 July and 6 October 1978.

Submissions will be invited from outside bodies in due course.

The committee consider it necessary to await the outcome of the technical studies referred to in their terms of reference before they will be in a position to make final recommendations. As this is likely to take some time the committee propose to furnish me with an interim report shortly. When the report is available I shall consider the question of its publication.