asked the Minister for Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the recent press statements regarding the future of the sugar beet industry at Tuam, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Tuam (Galway) Sugar Factory.
29.
I take it the Deputy is referring to press reports of statements made recently by the managing director of the Sugar Company to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on State-sponsored Bodies. I understand that the managing director expressed concern about the viability of the company's operations at Tuam but added that no decision had been taken by his board about the future of that factory. I am aware that the company are very concerned about the small acreage of beet grown in the Tuam area on which the commercial viability of the factory primarily depends and the continuing decline in that acreage despite efforts made by the company to encourage beet growing in the west.