Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for her response. I note she did not mention any discussions with Greencore. Did discussions take place with Greencore prior to the decision of 15 March? Was the lack of clarity on whether farmers would be eligible for the diversification fund if they did not grow beet in 2006 a factor in making farmers hesitant to indicate they would grow beet in the current season?

Will the Minister, as I asked a number of months ago, convene multi-party talks involving all the interest groups to discuss the future utilisation of the land and to address the issues surrounding the compensation deal?

I have asked the Minister on numerous occasions whether the Revenue Commissioners considered quota as an asset for taxation purposes. Have farmers who have bought and sold quota no legal rights or are all the legal rights in the hands of Greencore?

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