asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the names of the alcohol factories (1) which are at present working, and (2) which have not yet gone into production, and if he will state in respect of those factories which are already in production, (a) the total amount of potatoes already purchased, and the price that has been paid for them, and (b) whether they have made arrangements which will secure the full necessary supply of potatoes for this production year, and if he will state in respect of those factories which have not yet gone into production what is the cause of the delay in going into production, and whether he expects them to start this year, or when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Alcohol Factories.
The industrial alcohol factories at Cooley, Labbadish and Carrickmacross are in production, and contracts have been placed to date for the delivery of 6,787 tons of potatoes as raw material for these plants. Arrangements are in progress for the purchase of further supplies as required, and, on the information at present before me, there is no reason to suppose that an adequate quantity will not be available. In reply to a question put down by Deputy McGilligan on the 12th May last, I gave particulars of the price fixed for potatoes of this season's crop. For technical and other reasons it was impossible to start all five plants simultaneously. It is expected that the factories at Carndonagh and Corroy will go into production this year.