asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries when he intends to increase the acreage under beet by 15,000 acres, as requested by the Irish Beet Growers' Association.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Beet Growing
30.
I expect to be making an announcement on this matter when introducing the Estimate for my Department, which is ordered for today.
Is the Minister aware that requests have been made for a number of years to the Department to increase this acreage and that the factories are capable, with very little additions, of handling such an increase; that it would save this country annually at least £1,500,000 worth of imported sugar; and that if we enter the Common Market our quota will be determined by the amount of sugar beet produced in this country?
I am aware of the desirability of our beet growers producing the maximum amount of our own requirements of sugar and of its importance in the context of the EEC. I propose to make an announcement in this regard when I am introducing my Estimate today.
Will our acreage have to be increased if we become a member of the EEC or is it possible it will be decreased?
As I said, I shall deal with that question later today.
Is the Minister aware that this is probably the last opportunity the Government will have of granting this request, that if we enter the Common Market even within a year or two we shall still not have a chance of getting this 15,000 acres for our farmers?
I am aware that this is the last chance Deputy O'Sullivan will have of getting a little mileage out of it.