asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the fact that the Mallow sugar factory is not large enough to handle the tonnage of beet now being produced in that area and that large quantities of Mallow beet are consequently being transferred to the factories at Tuam and Thurles, he will take steps to enlarge further the capacity of the Mallow factory.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mallow Sugar Factory.
119.
Mr. Kenny
Cómhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teoranta are already committed to a capital expenditure of nearly £1½ million during the next 18 months on improvement of the Mallow factory and the company envisage additional large expenditure on the factory over the next few years.
I understand that quantities of beet are being transferred from the Mallow area to the Thurles and Tuam factories in order to ensure that the present beet campaign will be concluded within a period acceptable to growers. Consideration of any further expansion of factory capacity at Mallow will have to await clarification of EEC long-term arrangements for sugar beet production.
May we take it for granted that the Thurles and Tuam factories are gone?
Mr. Kenny
I do not think the Deputy is right in assuming that.