Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

In the background to the discussions in question is the fact that the protected price that was available up to the point to which I refer would - on foot of the WTO panel ruling and the European Union's obligations under international trade rules - no longer have been available. Greencore took a commercial decision to renounce its quota. When it did so, the then Minister, Deputy Coughlan, quite understandably, expressed her regret at the company's decision to close the factory. If I am correct with regard to the timeframe, this occurred very late in the season when farmers would have been making preparations in respect of the following season's crops.

In the negotiations relating to the compensation package that were under way at that time, the then Minister obtained a proviso that Ireland - if it availed of said package and if Greencore, as the quota holder, was to exit the industry - could still produce sugar for the following two years. Greencore chose not to take up that option.

It is important to reiterate that at every meeting which took place with the Council of Ministers, the EU Commission and the Presidency during the period in question, the then Minister and her officials made available the most up-to-date facts.

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