asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he has received any representations from Farmers' Associations and others in East Cork for the starting of a Sugar Beet Factory; and if he is aware that the farmers of the constituency are prepared to give the necessary guarantees as regards the acreage of beet root to be grown, etc.; if he has received offers from a French firm to set up a factory at a smaller subsidy than that given in the case of the Carlow factory; whether taking into consideration the fact that the land of the district is rapidly going out of tillage and the great need of a permanent solution of the problem of unemployment, he will favourably consider immediately the setting up of a sugar beet factory in this district.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - REPRESENTATIONS FROM EAST CORK FARMERS.
Mr. HOGAN
Among the representations received by me from various parts of the country relative to the establishment of another beet sugar factory are some from East Cork. The undertakings for the growing of beet referred to in the second part of the question are, and must necessarily be, of a general character, seeing that, before they can be regarded as definite and reliable, they must be related to a definite price for beet, and such relation is not at this stage practicable. No offer from a French or other firm has been received by me or by the Department. I have no information which would lead me to believe that tillage is decreasing in East Cork to an extent greater than in other parts of the country.
In regard to the concluding portion of the question, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Deputy Heffernan's question of 4th August last.
Is the Minister aware that a promise was given by a prominent Cumann na nGaedheal supporter in Cork City during the recent elections that if President Cosgrave were returned a sugar beet factory would be started in Ballincollig? In view of the fact that these sugar beet factories are used to sweeten the seat. will a factory not be established?
Will the Minister be able to hold out any hope of any beet factory, other than the existing one, being started in the Saorstát in the immediate future?
Mr. HOGAN
Not in the immediate future. I do not think it would be sound business to do it without further information.