asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) what quantity of Polish sugar was imported by Comhlucht Siucre Éireann, Teo, recently; (b) what price per lb. was paid for it; (c) whether he is satisfied that the quality of this sugar is suitable for manufacturers and whether he is aware that sugar importers maintain that they are able to obtain sufficient sugar to meet our requirements at a lower price than that paid for Polish sugar by Comhlucht Siucre Éireann, Teo, and (d) what steps he proposes to take to end the unsatisfactory position in regard to the importation of sugar by Comhlucht Siucre Éireann.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - Sugar Imports.
The quantity of Polish sugar recently imported by Comhlucht Siucre Éireann, Teo, was 4,905 tons, and the price f.o.b. Gydnia was £35 13s. 5d. a ton. This sugar is of a quality which is suitable for manufacturers. I do not know who are the sugar importers to whom the Deputy refers, because in recent years there have been no imports of sugar for general consumption except those made by Comhlucht Siucre Éireann, Teo. The price paid for the Polish sugar can properly be compared only with quotations ruling at the time when purchases were made in sources of supply which did not involve an expenditure of dollars or other scarce foreign currencies. I do not agree that at any particular time other persons could obtain sugar to meet our requirements at a lower price than that which could be secured by Comhlucht Siucre Eireann, Teo, if due regard is had to the need for conserving our foreign exchange resources. I am not prepared to make any change in the existing arrangements for the purchase and importation of sugar required for general consumption.
Is the Minister's information with regard to the suitability of the sugar for manufacturing purposes obtained from the sugar company or from the manufacturers?
From the sugar company.
Will the Minister inquire if the manufacturers are of the same opinion as the sugar company?
I have had no representations from the manufacturers that the sugar is not suitable and I presume if it was not suitable I would have had such representations from them. If the manufacturers desire to make any representations to me on that matter, I am prepared to have them examined.
I understand that sugar has been dumped some miles outside Dublin because of its unsuitability for manufacturing purposes.
I would be glad if the Deputy would be in a position to give me information relative to that.
Tell us where the dump is.
If we knew, we would all make a bee-line for it.