asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the system of arbitration, including method of appointment, in operation in relation to sugar contracts involving the Irish Sugar Company, to which he referred in a reply of 7th April; whether he enters into the appointment of the arbitration board; the names of those appointed in the present dispute; whether the findings have yet been determined; and, if so, what they are.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arbitration on Sugar Contracts.
27.
The arbitration proceedings in question arise out of private contracts between the Sugar Company and its customers and I am not involved in the matter.
Has the Minister any comment on the latter part of the question?
I am not aware of what the position is.
I am asking the Minister whether the findings have yet been determined, and, if so, what are they?
I have no knowledge of when the findings will be issued. It is a matter for private contract between two parties buying and selling.
It is as simple as that? Is the Minister serious? Is he thinking of the national interest involved in this matter, in view of the serious charges made by the Managing Director of the Sugar Company? Will the Minister enlighten the public as to whether or not a decision has been arrived at in this matter?
I think I told the Deputy previously that the Sugar Company enters into contracts with its customers which contain an arbitration clause providing for the appointment of arbitrators in the event of a dispute in certain circumstances. This procedure was resorted to on two occasions. It is a matter for private contracts between two parties who are availing of their legal rights under the contract.
Is the Minister aware that Lt.-General Costello stated publicly that there was illegal traffic in sugar and that, as a result, there was profiteering by certain companies in sugar? Surely the Minister has the responsibility to find out whether this was dealt with in the course of the alleged arbitration he referred to? Last week I asked the Minister was he aware of rumours that large profits were being made illegally in the export of sugar. The Minister's reply was that this would be extracted in the course of the arbitrator's investigation. I am now asking the Minister whether that has been done.
I have no knowledge of the terms of reference of the dispute to the arbitrators. It is not a matter for me. I do not believe that there was this wholesale traffic in the export of sugar. As I said, if there was, it would be disclosed in the findings of the arbitrators.
That is what I want the Minister to say.
Surely an allegation of illegal traffic in sugar is not a matter that should be determined by arbitrators appointed by the Sugar Company and those who supply sugar?
We have a procedure whereby these complaints can be investigated by the Revenue Commissioners. The Revenue Commissioners have made no report to me or to any other member of the Government about any illegal traffic. If there was such, I believe the Revenue Commissioners have the resources to find it out.
May we take it that no allegation of illegal traffic was made to the Minister for Industry and Commerce or to any other member of the Government?
Except the statement to which Deputy McQuillan refers.
Surely, if a reputable man such as Lt.-General Costello alleges that there has been illegal traffic, the Minister should take notice?
It is a matter being determined at the moment as a result of legal proceedings.
The Minister has not established any sort of inquiry?
I have not. I have no evidence at all other than that from Lt.-General Costello.