asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (1) the estimated tonnage of sugar required to supply the population of the country in the coming year; (2) the total tonnage of sugar obtained from the 1949 beet crop, and (3) what steps he is taking to have the acreage of beet increased in the coming season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sugar Requirements.
The quantity of sugar estimated to be required during the year beginning 1st April next for consumption by the population and for consumption in manufacturing processes is 120,000 tons. I am advised by the Irish Sugar Company that the total quantity of sugar obtained from the 1949 beet crop was 88,700 tons. The third part of the Deputy's question should be addressed to the Minister for Agriculture.
Would the Minister not consider that there is a very serious position, where you will have to pay the foreigner something like £2,000,000 to make up the deficit in sugar, and where you will have to pay him practically £500,000 over what you would pay, if all our sugar were produced here? Seeing that it has been already stated by the Parliamentary Secretary that the beet crop is down by 15,000 acres in two years would he not consider that sufficient to call a conference so as to make sure that we shall get the sugar we need?
The Deputy has made many statements here about the reduced acreage. Of course no one wants to import sugar if we can get our supplies from home sources but the Deputy has not told us if an inducement has been offered to get the maximum increase. What is the Deputy's suggestion?
My suggestion is that there should be a conference between the sugar company, the beet growers' association, the Minister and the Department of Finance.
For what purpose?
To increase the acreage.
What further inducement does the Deputy suggest is required?
That is the matter to be considered.
I notice the Deputy is very reluctant to say what it should be.
I know the Deputy put up a proposal this year that was turned down by the Department of Finance and by some other Departments of State which would have certainly cost very little—5/- a ton bonus for beet over a certain acreage produced by the farmer.
The Minister for Agriculture would not allow the company to pay it.
That is a statement that is wholly untrue.