asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food in view of the excellent performance of the Commercial Horticultural Producers of Ireland to date, if he will grant-aid their ambitious programme for 1988.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department have been fully supportive of the activities of Commercial Horticultural Producers of Ireland and have already contributed substantial funding towards their operations. An offer of further funding for 1988 has in fact been made to this body, who are in touch with my Department on the matter.