Has any money been allocated to Tuam as of now?
Sugar Manufacture (Amendment) Bill, 1982: Committee and Final Stages.
Section 1 agreed to.
SECTION 2.
Question proposed: "That section 2 stand part of the Bill."
The Government have a commitment to retain the Tuam factory. As I pointed out in my reply, none of this £30 million is earmarked for any particular industry within the functioning of the company itself. Naturally, Tuam will get its fair share of this money on the basis that it will remain open.
There is a point that Tuam is a special circumstance in so far as it is a very run-down factory, and I think that would be accepted by all. For that reason, its requirement and the urgency of its need for money would be far greater than in other cases. Perhaps the Minister could throw some light on this because we are led to believe that money is being made available to Tuam. May I clarify our position on the Tuam factory situation? It is that provided the acreage of beet is grown in the Tuam catchment area, the factory will and should be kept open. Coupled with that, one must have efficient means to process the beet. That is my question and the Minister might be able to enlighten me a little more fully on the matter.
The Senator can be assured that if the Tuam factory needs more modern machinery, naturally it will be provided. The fact that the Government are committed to retaining Tuam factory is in itself, is significant point. The Senator can have my assurance and that of the Department that if machinery is needed in that factory to modernise it and to bring it up-to-date it will be provided.
Question put and agreed to.
Sections 3 to 5, inclusive, agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment, received for final consideration and passed.