asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that there is a delay in making payments to potato growers on contract to Cómhlucht Siúicre Éireann of as much as two months from the date of delivery; if Cómhlucht Siúicre Éireann is seriously short of liquid finance; and if payments can now be speeded up.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Payments to Potato Growers.
34.
Contracts for the growing of potatoes are issued by Erin Foods Limited and not by Cómhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teoranta. I understand from Erin Foods Limited that payments are processed by computer and for this reason it is necessary to deal with a considerable number of payments at one time. As any one batch of payments might relate to deliveries of potatoes over a period of up to four or five weeks, it could happen that some growers might not receive payment for a period of up to six weeks. Every effort is made, however, to ensure that growers are paid as promptly as possible.
There is no question of either Cómhlucht Siúicre Éireann or Erin Foods being short of liquid finance.