asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he is prepared to support the south-eastern horticultural producer group under the aegis of Commercial Horticultural Producers of Ireland with the funding necessary for their development.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department has been fully supportive of the activities of CHPI and has contributed substantial funding towards their general operations.

Regarding the specific question of funding for the south-eastern horticultural producer group, the national development co-ordinator of CHPI was in touch with the Office of Horticulture on 27 November 1987 and a meeting with him has been arranged for 9 December 1987 to discuss the matter.