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Food Industry.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2005

Thursday, 3 February 2005

Questions (141)

Eamon Ryan

Question:

139 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she has carried out an analysis regarding the provision of support for the conversion of facilities such as the Carlow sugar factory which is now set to close, to be able to process ethanol from sugar beet; if she has engaged in discussions with the company involved in this regard; and if any European or national regulations preclude support mechanisms being applied to support such sugar beet derived products. [3240/05]

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Written answers

Following the closure of the Carlow sugar processing plant, Irish Sugar Limited. intends to process the entire Irish sugar quota at its Mallow plant, which will be upgraded. The question of developing an ethanol production plant would be a commercial matter for the company and I have not engaged in discussions with it in that regard. Promotion and development of renewable energy in Ireland are matters, in the first instance, for the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. In so far as my remit is concerned, the EU sugar regime provides support for sugar beet and sugar production but ethanol derived from sugar beet does not come within the scope of the regime.

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