asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food whether he has any proposals to resolve the crisis facing potato producers.

A number of initiatives have been taken with regard to the potato sector.

On 1 June I had wide-ranging discussions with the Irish Farmers' Association about the development of the sector. The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways of improving the marketing, quality and presentation of Irish potatoes to enable producers to compete effectively with imports and have reasonable returns. I look forward to the continued co-operation of the IFA with An Bord Glas.

The question of appointing a market co-ordinator for potatoes is also being considered.

The extension of the regulation on producer groups to potatoes and the possibility of increased FEOGA grants for the provision of potato storage have been raised with the Commission.

Earlier this year An Bord Glas organised a promotion campaign for potatoes in order to generate consumer awareness of the range, health, eating qualities and suitability of Irish potatoes to meet consumer demands and in order to reduce imports. An Bord Glas appointed an expert commodity team to examine the potato sector. The report of the team, which is at present being considered, will form the basis of a five-year development plan for the industry.

On 17 June I had a meeting with potato producer representatives, regarding the slow uptake of the early Irish crop and the consequential effect on producer prices. This was followed by a meeting with representatives of major supermarkets, wholesalers and importers who gave a commitment to support the marketing of high quality, well presented Irish potatoes.

Would the Minister accept that this £100 million industry has faced a number of crises over the past 12 months and that action is necessary to get some order into the market and ensure protection for producers? Furthermore, would the Minister consider and comment on the following; first, why has the regulation in relation to below-cost selling not been applied to the potato industry? I know this is probably proper to the Minister for Industry and Commerce but surely the Minister of State present should have some input in any such decision. Second, is the Minister satisfied that the regulation in regard to identification of growers, their registration and so on is being implemented, because it is my understanding that the regulation is not being implemented to any great extent? Third, would the Minister consider changing the existing grading regulation? It has been suggested to me that a change in that regulation by way of increasing the minimum size would be helpful from the point of view of regularising the market. Fourth, has the Minister any proposals at all——

I must dissuade the Deputy from putting questions in an omnibus form.