With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.
The Government's statement of 13th January sets out the considerations on which the decision was based to accept the Community's final offer of a basic sugar production quota of 150,000 tons. I have circulated copies of this statement to Deputies.
The question of the basic production quota was first raised by Irish officials on 23rd April, 1971. They were informed that the matter was one to be dealt with during 1972 when the details of the transitional arrangements for agriculture were being worked out. However, the Community decided towards the close of the negotiations that the matter should be settled in the negotiations and made a formal offer of a basic quota of 135,000 tons for this country on 21st December 1971. I then sought a special negotiating meeting and put forward the precise quota sought by us. This meeting was held on 10th and 11th January.