asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the total tonnage and value of raw and refined sugar imported into this country from January to October, 1968; and the justification for this importation, in view of the statement of one of the chiefs of the Sugar Company that too much sugar was being produced in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sugar Imports.
16.
Imports of raw sugar this year up to the end of August, the latest month for which official figures are available, amounted to 41,621 tons, valued at £866,035. Imports of refined sugar in the same period were 222 tons valued at £9,562.
I understand from Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann that the imports of raw sugar are required to enable sugar to be supplied at an economic price for the export trade in sugar-containing goods. The imports of refined sugar consisted mainly of special types of sugar for which there is only a very limited demand in this country.
Does the Minister consider that there is any justification for importing that amount of foreign sugar to date this year while, at the same time, the Sugar Company are complaining that the farmers are growing too much beet and that too much sugar is being produced?
The question at issue is not whether I agree or disagree. This is something the Sugar Company and the beet growers arranged to operate between them. From the information I have available, the Sugar Company, from the imports and dealings in sugar—that is imported and raw sugar—make, and I imagine will continue to make, a profit on these transactions. I have no doubt that this is to the benefit of the overall financial structure of the Sugar Company, not only in regard to its sugar-making enterprises but also in regard to its vegetable processing in Erin Foods.
Is the Minister aware that this allegation of too much sugar has been used by the Sugar Company to deprive the beet growers of 11/- a ton to which they are entitled and which amounts to £580,000 from the beet growers' proceeds?
I know from the operations of the Sugar Company and from the growers' representatives over the years that this matter of price has been arranged between them in practically all cases and in an amicable and satisfactory manner. I hope that this system of reasonable arrangements in regard to pricing for the farmers' produce will continue to operate in the future as it did in the past.
That arrangement has been broken, as the Minister is aware.
As the Deputy and the House are aware, I have not got this particular State body under my control at any level.
All right, we have a remedy.