Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Jun 2003

Vol. 569 No. 5

Written Answers. - Company Closures.

Denis Naughten

Question:

73 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of meat plant closures which his Department has funded in each of the past five years; the plants involved; the cost to the State of each closure; the discussions that are taking place with existing operators to close plants; and the locations involved. [18196/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Rationalisation proposals being discussed by the beef processing industry are a matter for the industry itself. I am aware that the beef processing sector has formulated plans to rationalise its own structures and bring about a greater alignment of slaughter capacity with cattle throughput. I have not provided funding for this purpose.