asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the steps the Government is taking at the United Nations Sugar Conference in Geneva, at which a new international sugar agreement is now being negotiated, to protect the interests of those involved in the Irish beet sugar industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - UN Sugar Conference.
6.
In accordance with Community practice, Ireland has been participating as part of the EEC delegation in the United Nations Sugar Conference which has now been adjourned until September. It is not possible at this early stage to give any indication as to the likely outcome of the conference but I can assure the Deputy that the need to safeguard the interests of the beet sugar industry will continue to be kept very much in mind.
I understand that the producers of sugar cane proposed to the convention that they be allowed to increase the export into the EEC. Will this adversely affect the Irish sugar industry? There is a quotation from The Sunday Times of May 13th, 1973, to the effect that sugar shares look sweet.
I should like to advise the Deputy that quotations at Question Time are not in order.
I am referring to an article in The Sunday Times.
I would prefer if the Deputy did not quote.
There are certain British firms, which I will not name, who have a vested interest in the increased exports of sugar cane from plantations abroad to their refineries in Britain and thence to EEC countries. Is the Minister aware of this?
I should like to say that the price the Irish sugar beet grower gets is dependent on the Community system, not on the international sugar agreement. As the Deputy is aware, we have a quota of 150,000 tons and we are finding it very difficult to have this amount grown here. I do not think that there is any danger in relation to sugar.
Does this mean that the Irish exporters will get preference or does it mean that they are on the same basis as foreign exporters outside EEC?
They are on the same basis.
They do not get any special preference by reason of the fact that we are members of the EEC?
No.
They do, of course.
We have a guarantee for 150,000 tons.
Are there not two prices? Is there not a "B" quota as well?
Yes, there is an additional quota.
All I want the Minister to do is to guarantee the beet-growers of this country that the Government's attitude will not be affected by any representation Which may be made by those firms. I am asking that because I have reason to do so. I believe that these particular firms, I cannot mention names in this House, are going to do all they can at this conference to see that cane sugar will be imported into the EEC.
The present position is that we do not need any protection. We are finding it difficult to fill the quota which we have.
Mr. Gibbons
At the prices offered.
Yes.
Does the Minister agree with the statement made recently by his colleague, the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, that he favoured, within Europe, an open door to allow in cane sugar from third countries.
I am not aware of the statement.
It was featured on the papers.
The Deputy is reading the wrong papers.