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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 11 Feb 1960

Vol. 179 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Importation of Sugar.

61.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will indicate the reasons for allowing the importation of sugar at a time when beet contracts are being reduced throughout the country; and whether it is proposed to take any action in the matter.

I would refer the Deputy to the reply given to a similar question on 23rd April, 1959.

Is the Minister aware that there is an outcry amongst beet growers in many parts of the country against the inequitable reduction of their beet acreage contracts? That is happening at a time when we are importing sugar into this country. Would the Minister consider it feasible to ban the importation of sugar so that the beet growers will be enabled to get their ordinary contracts allocated to them?

I am given to understand that the beet factories can take all the beet they can process.

Surely the Minister is aware that beet growers' contracts in many parts of the country have been substantially reduced this year and, in my own constituency of Cork West, and in the neighbouring constituency of Cork South, we had a meeting a few weeks ago protesting against the inequitable reduction being made——

The Deputy is making a speech.

Surely the Minister does not come into this House to inform us that no such position arises. That is a peculiar statement for the Minister to make that he does not know any beet reductions are taking place.

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