The Turf Development Bill which will give Bord na Mona plc status was published yesterday. The Minister for Public Enterprise, Mrs O'Rourke, said it was the single most important piece of legislation affecting Bord na Mona since its foundation.

Ms O'Rourke said the Bill complemented a recent series of initiatives taken in support of Bord na Mona. The company's balance sheet had recently been restored to financial health because of the injection of £100 million of Exchequer equity in the last 12 months.