Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

Her mailbag would certainly be full of Oireachtas envelopes next Tuesday, given the rate at which expressions of affection are being thrown in her direction by backbenchers. Unfortunately, Irish farmers do not exactly feel that way about it. She should answer questions regarding what is happening on beet. It is a very important issue, and the deadline for growing beet is drawing near, yet still a large number of questions remain unanswered. Greencore has stated that it might pull out of the beet industry this year. All that it need do is close its plant in Mallow.

Have there been any negotiations between the Government and Greencore regarding the compensation fund? If so, what was their outcome? Greencore feels that it is legally entitled to most of the compensation fund. If that is the case, farmers will get less than half — if it is to be paid out. People feel that to save the Government's neck at the next general election, Greencore must keep the plant in Mallow open this year, charge the farmers €25 million, close it down next year and collect a nice fat bonus from the Government — after the next election. The Government needs to come clean on how much compensation the farmers will receive. The Government should not make excuses about what is happening in Brussels——

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