Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)

I am glad to learn the Minister met the workers, with whom I have also been in contact. They are alarmed, to say the least, about the severence package. In the context of the State's golden share in the company, has the Minister met any success in using her influence to ensure the payment of the agreed severance package?

I presume the Minister has met beet producers' representatives. The figure I have been quoted with regard to the compensation package to these producers is €106 million. Does the Minister support that figure and, if so, will she ensure Greencore lives up to its responsibilities? This company, which has benefitted from the public purse, presided over the loss of hundreds of jobs and the threat to the livelihood of several thousand others in ancillary businesses, not to mention 3,800 beet producers, yet it claims the final say on compensation. Will the Minister ensure the Government has the final say and that compensation for beet producers will be adequate?

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