asked the Minister for Agriculture his proposals to ensure that no potatoes will be imported from non-EEC countries.

The import of potatoes from non-EEC countries is prohibited except under licence. In view, however, of our obligations under the EEC-Cyprus agreement and as only minimal quantities of Irish earlies are yet available, licences have been granted recently for the import of 250 tonnes of potatoes from Cyprus, a country which purchases many times that quantity of seed potatoes from us.

Would the Minister not agree that the granting of such licences is militating against Irish potato growers? In these circumstances and in view of recent events, would he not reconsider his decision?

The problem is that because of the various trade agreements we have with countries associated with, but not members of, the EEC and having regard to the fact that in this instance the trade balance is very much in our favour from the point of view of seed potatoes, we have to be seen to give a certain trade to the country in question. If we were to prevent potato imports from Cyprus we would be only harming ourselves.

Can the Minister give a guarantee that if a certain consignment of potatoes comes in it will be the last and that the licence will not be used to bring in further quantities as has happened in the past? Is the Minister aware fully of the situation facing potato growers particularly in the North Leinster areas?

I am aware of the problems facing these people. My information is that it is not proposed to extend the licence beyond the 250 tonnes importation.