asked the Minister for Finance whether Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann is aware that a new and more efficient beet harvester has been designed and built by Mr. Andrew Heffernan of Cahir, County Tipperary; and what steps the company has taken or intends to take to ensure the manufacture and use of such machines.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Beet Harvesting Machine.
13.
Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teoranta is aware that Mr. Heffernan has designed and built a new beet harvester. The company has itself for many years been manufacturing and improving a beet harvester specially designed for Irish conditions. I understand that this harvester has proved to be very satisfactory and that the company does not intend to manufacture Mr. Heffernan's machine.
Is the Minister not aware of the special interest which the design of this automated beet harvester created amongst the manufacturers of agricultural machinery in Europe, and especially in Holland and Britain? Is it not surprising at the very least that the Irish Sugar Company took no interest and offered no encouragement, help or advice, to this man? Is the Minister not further aware that Irish beet-growers are clamouring for such an automated harvester and have indicated and are on record as saying that it would increase their acreage out of all proportion? Is it not surprising that we should have to wait for foreigners to point out such a native genius as we have in Mr. Heffernan?
I am not competent to judge the respective merits of Mr. Heffernan's machine and the machine being operated by the Sugar Company. The question of waiting for foreigners does not arise in this case. The Armour machine has been developed and used, and continues to be developed, by the Sugar Company for several years. It is not a question of waiting for somebody else to come along and point out a native genius and it is not reasonable to suggest that they should abandon what they regard as a suitable machine. The Sugar Company would not be justified in taking on another machine.
Is the Minister satisfied that the machines now being operated by the Sugar Company compare favourably with Mr. Heffernan's machine?
I could not comment on that but apparently the Sugar Company are satisfied that the machines they are using are suited to their purpose, and possibly more suited.