asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the increased cost of sugar to the consumer due to the price of imported sugar, he is prepared to call a conference of representatives of 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. - Sugar Requirements.
I do not see that any useful purpose would be served by such a conference. The Irish Sugar Company and the beet-growers' organisations have been dealing with the problems of the industry for many years now and there appears no reason why they should not continue to do so.
The Minister will be glad to learn that I have already taken steps to have such a conference called, and what I am anxious about is ——
The Deputy is making a speech and not asking a question.
——that the decision of that conference will not be turned down by the Minister as a previous one was by his predecessor. (Interruptions.)
The junior Minister.
My forecast was fairly accurate.