asked the Minister for Agriculture whether permits have been issued by his Department to two or more firms for the importation of sugar owing to their failure to obtain supplies here; whether an arbitration board has recently sat to consider the question of sugar supplies to the firms in question; and if he will give details of the availibility or otherwise of large-scale sugar supplies in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Importation of Sugar.
45.
My Department has, after consultation with Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teo., recently issued licences to two firms to import sugar for use by them in the manufacture of goods for export. I have been informed that certain matters have been the subject of arbitration between the Company and one of these firms. In addition some licences have also been issued by my Department in recent months to Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teo. to enable the Company to import small lots of special types of sugar for some of its customers.
I understand that, so far as domestic requirements are concerned, supplies are adequate. Some sugar will have to be imported to cater for the export trade in sugar goods.
Will the Minister state why the Department have on this occasion treated two companies in such a privileged manner by giving them special permits when the Sugar Company was available to meet their requirements?
Before issuing these licences, consultations took place with the Sugar Company and in fact the terms and conditions of the licences were agreed on by the general manager of Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann and the Secretary of my Department. As well as that, the Sugar Company had in fact written to all their customers telling them that while they had adequate supplies for home requirements, they would not be able to meet demands for export.
Is the Minister aware that a totally different picture of the situation has been painted by one of the companies involved? Is it not a fact that one of the companies stated they were able to buy sugar abroad at a cheaper rate than they could get it from the Sugar Company? Is it not a fact that that was the real basis of their claim for an import licence—that they could buy sugar abroad at a cheaper rate than they could get it from the Sugar Company?
I do not know what claim they may be making——
You do not know?
——but if they made such a claim, it had no bearing whatsoever on my decision to grant licences.
The position has now arisen where special consideration is given to two companies, one of which we know is associated with a Deputy and will the Minister ensure that in future no special priorities or privileges will be given to any company over and above any other company dealing in the same commodity?
Any company or concern dealing in a similar commodity that approaches me with the same case and the same request will be treated in the same way.
And with the same influence. I have not heard any explanation from Deputy Briscoe.
I am afraid the Deputy does not know what he is talking about.
It is sub judice. When it is resolved, the Deputy will open his eyes wider.
Is that why you looked for a special licence—for bubble gum?
46.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether any licences have been issued in the past three months for the importation of sugar; if so, to whom the licences were issued and for what amounts; and if he will state the reasons for the imports in each case.
Thirteen licences for the importation of a total quantity of 231 tons 2 cwt. of sugar have been issued by my Department in the past three months. Eight of these licences were issued to Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teo. to enable the Company to import small lots of special types of sugar for some of its customers and the remainder were issued to two firms to enable them to import small quantities of refined sugar for use in the manufacture by them of goods for export.