asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will give details of the proposals which he has made to the EEC Commission relating to the development of the Irish potato processing sector.

Under Council Regulation 355/77 individual applications for FEOGA grants for marketing and processing of agricultural products are now considered only where they are in accordance with a programme for the sector concerned which has been approved by the EEC Commission. As has already been done for the main agricultural products, a programme for potatoes which was prepared in consultation with the industry was submitted recently to the Commission for consideration. When this is approved by the Commission applications for grants will be considered against the background of the programme.

The programme covers investment projects which would increase efficiency in the industry, expand processing facilities, improve distribution and marketing and create opportunities for increased employment.