Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

When the political support opposing the reform dissipated, Ireland secured the most advantageous support package possible. It has to be borne in mind that the package for all stakeholders was negotiated in the event of a decision being taken by the company involved to exit sugar production. The decision to cease sugar production was a commercial decision taken by Greencore plc. It is very important to put that on the record. The implication that seems to have been drawn is that the Irish plant had the misfortune to be hit by the approach of the Commission. The situation is - and it is very important - that it was a voluntary scheme and Greencore made the decision to exit the industry-----

See this speech in context