asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that a considerable quantity of beet has been produced in the Wexford area and that the farmers would be prepared to increase the acreage under the sugar beet crop if there was a sugar factory established in the county, and if he will state whether there is any prospect of such a factory being established.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Beet Production in County Wexford.
I am not aware of any circumstances at present which appear to require the establishment of an additional beet sugar factory. The matters raised by the Deputy are, within the functions of Cómhlucht Siúicre Éireann, Teoranta, and for consideration by the board of the company in the first instance.
I have been approached by farmers who have to put the beet on the wagon at Enniscorthy at a cost of £10 and by farmers from Gorey to the south of the county. We are sending thousands of tons of beet out of Wexford. Is it the intention of the Government to close these sugar factories after the emergency? I see something about that in the Irish Press to-day. Why not give us a factory in this model county, which is producing more in tillage than all the other counties put together?