asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the increased cost to the consumer due to the import of foreign sugar, he would be prepared to call a conference of representatives of his Department, the Beet Growers' Association and the Irish Sugar Company so that an all-out effort may be made to get an acreage of beet grown that will supply the nation's full requirements of sugar.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Growing of Beet.
I agree fully that every effort must be made to secure a sufficient acreage of beet to supply the nation's full requirements of sugar and I am ready to give all possible assistance in this matter. I understand that Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann has the matter under active consideration, but I think that the intervention of my Department on the lines suggested would hardly be appropriate.
In view of the fact that the public are at present paying extra money for the importation of foreign sugar and that the beet growers were deprived of £837,000 during the three years that the previous Government had charge of the industry, £837,000 more being paid to the foreigners for sugar than was paid to our own people, would the Minister not consider that this would be the best way to deal with it, namely, by calling a conference of the parties concerned?
So far as the Government will be involved in any campaign to get an increased beet acreage, it will be a matter for the Minister for Agriculture rather than the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
So long as it is not a matter for the Minister for Finance to make it a white elephant.