asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the present system of allocating permits for the supply of potatoes to the alcohol factories which is followed by Ceimici Teoranta is causing grave dissatisfaction amongst producers; and, if so, if he will endeavour to have the position rectified.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Potatoes for Alcohol Factories.
I understand that in one area only dissatisfaction has been expressed by some growers at the delay in taking up their potatoes for use in the manufacture of industrial alcohol. I am informed by Ceimici Teoranta that this delay is unavoidable, and is due to the very substantial quantity of potatoes on offer in this area.
As I have already informed the Deputy in reply to a somewhat similar question on the 3rd April last, arrangements for the purchase of potatoes intended for use in the industrial alcohol factories are solely the responsibility of Ceimici Teoranta, in which I do not intervene.
Is the Minister aware that the cause of the dissatisfaction is not so much the delay in getting the potatoes to the factory, but rather in regard to the issue of permits? It is known that permits have been issued to people who had applied, say, six weeks ago, and that a second permit may have been issued to the same people, while other people, who had applied three months previously, have not received a permit yet. That is the real point at issue.
The company inform me that its normal practice is to take up tenders in strict rotation, but that that cannot always be followed, although the aim of the company is to do so. In the particular area which the Deputy has in mind, there are substantial quantities of potatoes on offer to the factory. It can only take 300 tons per week, and, in fact, in that area an arrangement has already been made to transfer potatoes to other areas, but that can only be done to a limited extent also.