andMr. Mullen asked the Minister for Agriculture if his attention has been brought to a recent statement of the general manager of the Irish Sugar Company in which he suggests that there is a crisis in the sugar industry which may threaten the employment of over 4,000 workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment in Sugar Industry.
6.
The abnormal developments in world sugar markets during the past year have given rise to various problems in many countries. So far as this country is concerned, the latest information at my disposal indicates that satisfactory progress is being made in dealing with such problems as have arisen and in this connection I may add that the closest possible contact is maintained between my Department and the Sugar Company in regard to the particular aspects of the sugar trade with which the Department is officially concerned.
Is the Minister in a position to give an assurance that the level of employment will be maintained and that there will be no reduction in employment in the sugar manufacturing industry? Further, would the Minister also give a guarantee that the interests of the Irish Sugar Company which has given good employment on trade union wages, will not be subordinated to private profit-making interests?
I do not know that I can give the first assurance sought by the Deputy. With regard to the second, there can be no doubts in the minds of Deputies who have heard the replies to questions on this subject that both the Minister for Industry and Commerce and I are concerned to do everything possible to help in relation to the difficulties that are there.
In view of recent events, would it be correct to assume that the fears expressed by the General Manager with regard to unemployment will now be allayed and that there will be, in fact, no reduction in employment?
If one is to take the recent forecast as to the amount of refining that will take place this year, the prospects are reasonably bright. They may not be as good as they were last year, but they are fairly good.