asked the Minister for Finance if he will initiate a feasibility study in conjunction with the sugar company and Erin Foods with a view to setting up a meat processing industry to replace the potato processing industry in Tuam, County Galway, in view of the adequate supplies of cattle and sheep locally.
Written Answers. - Erin Foods Tuam Factory.
107.
Inquiries which have been made already by the sugar company indicate that there is substantial surplus capacity available in existing meat processing plants. While the company are prepared to keep the possibility mentioned by the Deputy under review, it would be wasteful of resources for them to diversify at this time into the activity suggested in the question.
108.
asked the Minister for Finance if his Department and the Irish Sugar Company will give favourable consideration to any proposal by a farming co-operative in Connaught to purchase outright as a going concern the Erin Foods potato processing plant in Tuam, County Galway, taking into account that it stands on its own grounds and could easily be set up as a separate viable unit.
Any viable proposal in relation to the use of the existing potato processing plant at Tuam will receive careful consideration from CSET. The company have, however, initiated plans for the establishment of an alternative industry in the premises and they are anxious to avoid any delay which might prejudice the future of that project.