asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that, arising out of the recent agreement between the Irish Sugar Beet Growers' Association and Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann, Teoranta, beet growers in Castlegregory, County Kerry, are badly hit owing to the high road freight from Castlegregory to Tralee; and, if so, whether he will give an undertaking that Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann, Teoranta, will bear the cost of road freight from the old station at Castlegregory.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kerry Best Transport Charges.
Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann is a limited liability company operating under the Companies Acts and the Minister for Finance has no parliamentary responsibility in the matter to which the Deputy refers. The Deputy may think it well to pursue the matter directly with the company.
Is the Minister aware that in Castlegregory the growers of beet there paid last year 16/11 per ton freight? This year, under the new agreement, they will pay a sum of 5/3. That is 11/8 per ton more for their beet than they got last year. It is about time that this sabotage campaign ended.
Would the Minister consider the payment of a subsidy to meet the cost of road freight from Castlegregory?
To the extent that Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann is a limited liability company, I have no responsibility for its management, and I would strongly oppose any proposal to give a subsidy to the company for the carriage of materials.
A subsidy will be paid on road freight to railhead under the new agreement.