Is it not a fact that a grant was sanctioned by the IDA for the building of that briquette factory——

Yes, that is a fact.

——and that a review has been going on since 1984? Will that grant be paid when the decision is made to go ahead with the building of the briquette factory?

I would not like to preempt any decision by the IDA in relation to the payment of grants. The Deputy is correct when he says that the IDA had agreed in principle to a grant of £3 million towards the project in 1982. I assume Bord na Móna will make a fresh application to the IDA and the IDA tend to have a positive attitude to developments of this nature.

Can the Minister say when we can hope to see that application going ahead?

That is a matter for the board.