Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)

It is unfortunate that the House is discussing this issue. The sugar industry was taken from farmers by the Government, although the ultimate decision was taken by the Council of Ministers. The Tánaiste rather than the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Smith, should be before the House because she sat on the Council of Ministers which made the decision that resulted in the closure of the Irish sugar industry.

The loss of the sugar beet industry resulted in farms in County Wexford becoming less viable and dealt a severe blow to the local economy, including agricultural contractors, suppliers and hauliers. As a result, it has become less viable for young people to remain in the farm sector. The beet industry was one of the most profitable and viable industries in the agriculture sector. Farmers did not want compensation; they wanted to continue to grow beet.

The Minister has many questions to answer on behalf of the Government. Is it true that the European Commission was using out-of-date information? The answer is either "Yes" or "No". The Tánaiste, who was the Minister for Agriculture and Food at the time, must have been asleep at the relevant meetings of the Council of Ministers. Was she properly informed about the position at the time?

The Government must urgently consider the possibility of beet being grown again for use as an alternative energy crop. Coming from a northern county, I am not sure the Minister is aware of the importance of the beef industry to the south. This is a major issue and the Government must take heed of it. The Minister is part of the Government which got rid of the sugar beet industry.

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