(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Agriculture if the Government will arrange with the Racing Board or some other State or semi-State body to acquire the Phoenix Park racecourse with a view to preserving it for racing.

There are no State funds available for the acquisition of this property with a view to preserving it for racing.

(Cavan-Monaghan): This is hardly a question for the Minister but it would solve the problem. Is the Minister aware of whether there is any truth in the rumour that some other syndicate or group of people are taking it over for a similar purpose?

At present there are negotiations proceeding.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Have they been finalised?

Not yet.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Should the other negotiations not materialise or not come to a fruitful conclusion, will the Minister think about the matter?

I will certainly think about the matter. I am keeping a watchful eye on it. I appreciate the purport of the Deputy's question.

Would the Minister not think that there are more important matters to be pursued other than the frivolous matter of the racecourse that Deputy Fitzpatrick wants, and agree that Deputy Fitzpatrick's priorities are slightly off target?

The Deputy is making a show of himself.

That shows the priorities of the Deputies opposite — racecourses for millionaires.

Tell the people in Galway.