Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

We have met on several occasions and the Poles have joined the blocking minority. The Poles have different concerns from ours. Ireland is in a unique position in that there is only one processing factory. Ireland has a special case on the right to produce sugar. However, if the proposals to reduce the price of sugar by 39% and sugar beet by 42% go ahead, I have been advised by farmers that they could not possibly produce sugar beet at those prices. Price is the issue at the moment, not quota. This is a grave concern and it will predetermine whether Ireland can continue to produce sugar.

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