Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 May 1964

Vol. 209 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Border Sugar Smuggling.

28.

Mr. McQuillan

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether a circular letter from Lieutenant General M. J. Costello, General Manager of the Irish Sugar Company, was received by the Industrial Development Authority last May in which it was stated that the company was perturbed to find that lorry loads of sugar are available to smugglers or would-be smugglers across the Six-County border; if he will state what action, if any, was taken by them to verify the accuracy of this report; and what other action was taken.

29.

Mr. McQuillan

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether a circular letter from Lieutenant General M. J. Costello, General Manager of the Irish Sugar Company, was received by Córas Tráchtála last May in which it was stated that the company was perturbed to find that lorry loads of sugar are available to smugglers or would-be smugglers across the Six-County border; and if he will state what action, if any, was taken by them to verify the accuracy of this report; and what other action was taken.

30.

Mr. McQuillan

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether a circular letter from Lieutenant General M. J. Costello, General Manager of the Irish Sugar Company, was received in his Department last May in which it was stated that the company was perturbed to find that lorry loads of sugar are available to smugglers or would-be smugglers across the Six-County border; and if he will state what action, if any, was taken by him to verify the accuracy of this report; and what other action was taken.

Mr. J. Lynch

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 29 and 30 together.

The circular letter in question was received by the Industrial Development Authority and Córas Tráchtála. The matter did not concern either of these two bodies. The circular letter was also received in my Department and in this regard I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by the Minister for Finance, on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, today to Question No. 19.

Mr. McQuillan

The Minister states it is not a matter for him. Is it not a fact that the Managing Director of the Sugar Company made allegations against certain companies in the State which, he alleged, had been indulging in illegal trading in sugar? Is it not a fact that these very same companies have on different occasions been welcomed by the IDA and Córas Tráchtála, and other Government concerns which hand out money for grants? Surely these bodies have a responsibility then to see that no company which makes illegal use of funds put at its disposal will be entitled to get any further aid from the State?

Mr. J. Lynch

The two bodies concerned have no responsibility for the allegations made.

Mr. McQuillan

I am not making the allegations. Let the Minister remember that. I am dealing only with allegations made outside this House.

Mr. J. Lynch

The two bodies concerned did not see any reason why they should pursue the matter.

Mr. McQuillan

Let me make the position clear. All the statements in these questions were made outside this House by Lieutenant-General Costello and have been embodied by me in these questions. May I now ask the Minister, in the light of the serious charges made by a responsible man like the Managing Director of the Sugar Company, whether he proposes to have a sworn inquiry into all the charges made by the Managing Director of the Sugar Company so that public worry and consternation will be alleviated?

Mr. J. Lynch

The statements were made by the Managing Director of the Sugar Company at a time when arbitration proceedings were pending. I prefer personally to leave it at that.

Mr. McQuillan

The charges have been made by the Managing Director of the Sugar Company that certain illegal trading in sugar was being carried on. In my opinion that is a criminal offence and surely one does not arbitrate with a criminal? Surely the Minister does not allow that type of conduct? Is it not the duty of the Minister himself——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is making assertions. Is he proposing to ask a question?

Mr. McQuillan

I am stating that the charge was made by Lieutenant-General Costello that a number of companies were misbehaving with regard to the export of sugar and thereby making a profit to which they were not entitled. In view of the statement by the Managing Director of the Sugar Company I am asking the Minister how can he possibly put that to an arbitrator to decide? Is it not a matter that the Minister should investigate, and investigate thoroughly?

Mr. J. Lynch

The arbitration will determine, if I may put it that way, the quantities of sugar supplied by the Sugar Company to the two concerns. It will also determine the user of that sugar. If there is a difference between the quantities supplied and the user there will then be grounds for allegations but, until such time as the awards are made known, I cannot comment on the allegations made.