asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state what quantity of sugar beet is being purchased by the Industrial Alcohol Company for conversion into industrial alcohol; and whether he will require all such beet to be sent to Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann for conversion into sugar, in view of the acute shortage of sugar which exists in Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Alcohol Company's Beet Purchases.
The total acreage of beet contracted for by Monarchana Alcóil na hÉireann, Teo., for this year is 313. The estimated yield from this acreage is approximately 2,000 tons which represent about 250 tons of sugar. It is not proposed to break the contracts with the growers by diverting this beet to Comhluct Siúicre Éireann, Teo.
Does the Minister think it is a desirable thing in times of acute world shortage of sugar to manufacture industrial alcohol out of sugar beet which could be used for the purpose of producing sugar if it were sent to Carlow?
The beet contracted for by Monarchana Alcóil na hÉireann, Teoranta, has been grown in an area in which beet was never grown for sugar manufacture and it does not in any way interfere with the supply of beet to the sugar factories proper.
But the beet is there.
He is using 250 tons of sugar for a wrong purpose.
Do you mean to say this beet would produce 250 tons of sugar and the Minister is turning it into alcohol?
The beet is grown in areas in which beet for sugar manufacture was never grown. It was grown under contract for Monarchana Alcóil na hÉireann, Teoranta.
You are bringing treacle from Cuba. Surely, if you can bring treacle from Cuba you can bring beet from Monaghan to Carlow. Two hundred and fifty tons of sugar—we are as mad as hatters.