asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that east Cork farmer producers who are shareholders in East Cork Foods, Limited, have offered to contract for 2,500 acres of vegetables for the 1966-67 season; that the present processing capacity of East Cork Foods, Limited, is only 750 acres, giving employment to 100 workers; and that increased production would enable the factory to take on 200 more workers and give an increase in gross income to the farmers of over £200,000 as well as filling a void between the production capacity and sales of Erin Foods, Limited, at present being catered for by imports from abroad; and if he is prepared to supply or guarantee plant and machinery to the company so as to enable this very laudable increase in production and employment to be carried out.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - East Cork Foods, Limited.
I have been informed that East Cork farmers are prepared to grow larger vegetable acreages, particularly of peas, than the plant of East Cork Foods Limited can process at its present capacity. No funds are available to me for the purpose of supplying or guaranteeing plant and machinery in such a case but it is open to the company to apply to An Foras Tionscal for a grant towards the cost of any extension which they propose in their factory capacity.
Is the Minister aware that on the winding up by Comhlucht Siúcre Éireann, we were guaranteed in this House that any guarantees given would be honoured by Erin Foods?
Quotations are not allowed during Question Time.
This is a supplementary question.
It is a quotation.
Very well; I shall leave it aside. I have a letter from the secretary of Comhlucht Siúcre Éireann stating that money for expansion to be carried out would be given in certain conditions. I have also a letter from our company secretary saying that we, the board of East Cork Foods, have no power to grant this condition or to give any guarantees whatever, pending legislation which I looked for in this House today. Meantime, time is passing and I want to issue a contract to my farmers.
Will the Deputy please ask a question?
I am asking the Minister if, in view of those conditions and in view of the fact that Erin Foods Limited have been so successful and the arrangement that it would take something like 1,000 acres, as a minimum, more than their present factory capacity to meet those needs——
The Deputy is making a statement; he is not asking a question.
Very well; we will have it out later.
Vote for the Minister and you will get it.
How does the Minister reconcile——
May I reply to Deputy Corry? I merely want to point out to the Deputy, through you, a Cheann Comhairle, that the affairs of Erin Foods and Comhlucht Siúcre Éireann are matters for the Minister for Finance. This question, in so far as it is addressed to me, merely deals with whether or not these vegetables could be grown and as Minister for Agriculture, I am quite satisfied that they could in fact be grown.
I have a Question, No. 12, addressed to the Minister for Finance today and I do not mind which Minister answers, when I raise the matter on the Adjournment—Nos. 12 and 67.
I want to tell Deputy Corry that he is late for giving notice of raising a matter on the Adjournment. It is after 3.30 p.m.
In those circumstances, I am giving timely notice that I will raise it next Wednesday.
They will all be busy on Wednesday.
I do not mind which of them answers me.
How does the Minister reconcile this reply with the resignation of the general manager as a result of disagreement in relation to the restriction of funds to Erin Foods? How can that be reconciled with the building of new plant? Secondly, the Minister referred them to Foras Tionscal but the present report says they are committed to £18 million which covers the next four years, at £4½ million a year.
The money has been guaranteed.
There is the successor.
£450,000.
Arising out of Deputy Corry's reply——
I want to say that the affairs of Foras Tionscal are not a matter for me but I understand that this project in East Cork was to be in four stages and that a total grant has been allocated by Foras Tionscal for not less than £355,000. So far, only the first stage has been proceeded with. The other three stages are to be approved by Foras Tionscal as they arise.
Where was this on the waiting list? Was it on the first or the last half?