asked the Minister for Agriculture the progress which has been made with the import substitution of the considerable volume of fruit, vegetables and potatoes coming into the country.

41.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is satisfied with the progress of the development of the horticultural industry since he took office; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Question No. 14 and Priority Question No. 41 together. Home production of fruit and vegetables grown for the fresh market has been expanding and there was a 6 per cent increase in acreage between 1982 and 1984. During the same period imports of produce of the types that can be grown here, including potatoes, decreased by 22 per cent.

Efforts are being continued by my Department, An Foras Talúntais and ACOT, in conjunction with the growers' organisations, to seek ways of further reducing imports and developing the industry by the application of new production technology, improved marketing arrangements and the provision of a reorganised horticultural advisory service.

Continued progress will be helped by the introduction of legislation to provide for the registration of potato growers and packers. Financial help is available from my Department to aid the establishment of a national potato co-operative, for the conversion of glasshouses from oil to solid fuel heating, for the employment of a market co-ordinator for the glasshouse industry and for setting up producer groups, for example, the horticultural co-operative launched today.

There is scope for further development and expansion and they can be realised more readily by the fullest co-operation between grower and the other sectors in the industry.