Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Throughout the negotiations on reform of the EU sugar regime, my primary objective was to seek to have the Commission's proposals modified to ensure the continuation of an efficient sugar processing sector in Ireland. I had several meetings with the Commissioner in that regard and Ireland played an active role in a group of 11 member states which had common cause in seeking to modify the proposals. The group remained steadfast in its opposition to the reform proposals from the time they were first mooted in July 2004 right up to the final Council meeting in November 2005. When it became evident at the Council meeting that there was not sufficient political support to adapt the proposals to the extent necessary, I focused my efforts on securing a compensation package worth €310 million for Irish stakeholders. I also succeeded in having the reform arrangements phased in, in a manner that opened up the possibility of sugar processing being continued in Ireland for a further two campaigns. Unfortunately, the recent deterioration in the market was a decisive factor for Greencore and on 15 March the company announced its decision to cease sugar production. I learned of the company's decision on the same day.

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