Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

That is the answer to the first of the Deputy's questions. The golden share has nothing to do with this issue, save in the event that permission is sought by the company from me for the sale of an asset.

The Commission had the same concerns as the Government about the ownership of the quota. On that basis, the Commission's formula is based on the restructuring fund, which is paid by those who remain in the industry. The money would be used to quench the quota. I have indicated that Ireland does not want a situation whereby we have negotiations on the basis of these proposals. If we were to accept what the Deputy spoke of, we would see the complete diminution of the sugar industry, which is not my political stance.

The Deputy is correct that we have grave concerns about the WTO negotiations taking place. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and I have been forthcoming in our views on this. We feel we have gone as far as we should go. The future of the sugar industry will be one item on the European agenda and sugar will be considered a sensitive product.

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