asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state in respect of each of the years 1960-61 to 1965-66 (a) the total tonnage of sugar manufactured from Irish sugar beet by Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann, (b) the total tonnage of sugar required for domestic home consumption, (c) the actual economic cost of sugar manufactured from (i) sugar beet and (ii) cane sugar, (d) the total quantity of sugar manufactured from imported sugar cane and unrefined sugar, (e) the total quantity of refined tonnage of sugar used in the manufacture of chocolate crumb.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Manufacture of Sugar.
67.
As the answer is in the form of tabular statements, I propose with your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the information:—
|
Reference* |
1960-61 |
1961-62 |
1962-63 |
1963-64 |
1964-65 |
|
(a) — tons |
121,380 |
114,507 |
125,061 |
131,249 |
128,592 |
|
(b) — tons |
120,837 |
118,070 |
124,003 |
127,907 |
125,140 |
|
(c) (i) — per ton |
£47.31 |
£47.76 |
£48.43 |
£47.79 |
£51.87 |
|
(c) (ii) — per ton |
£33.71 |
£32.75 |
£27.39 |
£59.21 |
£61.85 |
|
(d) — tons |
25,053 |
41,336 |
48,234 |
32,842 |
45,789 |
*Statistics in respect of the items at reference (a) to (d) are kept on the basis of years end in 30th April and figures in respect of 1965-66 are accordingly not yet available.
References (b)—The figures given are for the home domestic market. The figure for “domestic home consumption” taken as meaning straight domestic use is estimated to be about 60,000 tons annually.
Reference (c) (ii).—The figures given are for the cost of sugar refined from imported raw sugar, whether cane or beet. It is not feasible to furnish a separate figure in respect of cane sugar.
Figures in respect of the items at references (e) and (f) in the question are kept on the bais of calendar years and are are as follows:—
|
References |
1960 |
1961 |
1962 |
1963 |
1964 |
1965 |
|
(e) — tons |
8 |
4 |
6 |
285 |
2,326 |
7,473 |
|
(f) — tons* |
21,200 |
22,150 |
25,900 |
25,100 |
26,400 |
26,700 |
*Estimated.
In view of the fact that there has been a considerable drop in the beet yield in the past three years, does the Minister consider we shall have enough sugar this year to meet our consumption? Shall we have to import sugar? Shall we have enough to fulfil our contracts abroad?
I hope so. As the Deputy knows, an awful lot depends on the yield, but we hope to have sufficient.
I hope the Minister is right. If not, we shall be reminding him.
I understand we are in a similar dilemma regarding butter.
We shall not have to import Danish butter.
That was after 16 years of Fianna Fáil in office.
(Interruptions.)
It put you out of office.
You were in office. It certainly did not put us out of office.