Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

We can be facetious about the golden share issue but we must examine the controlling interests within the company. We have now allowed increased competition within the sugar sector here, 20% to 25% of consumption coming mainly from the French market. Another issue that we must examine is that we may have no sugar industry and if so, even if there is sugar production in Mallow, we will have no sugar beet. If the consolidation of this company is to facilitate the continuation of a competitive sugar regime, as well as the production of sugar beet in the south east, we will have to ensure that happens.

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