Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)

I am aware of the Minister's interest in sugar beet. I view this issue from the perspective of creating an infrastructure to support job creation. One of the groups to which the Minister referred maintains that up to 5,000 jobs could be created. In addition to producing 150,000 tonnes of sugar annually, the sector could also help Ireland to achieve its 10% target for bio-fuels by producing 50 million litres of ethanol annually. A notable change in recent times was the indication given by the European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn, that the European Union could provide support to reopen the Irish sugar beet industry.

While I note the Minister's comments on the changes that may take place after 2015, it is vital that we are ready and at the starting gate by that date. Will the Minister progress the process by engaging in preparatory talks and work and seeking to attract interest in this exciting proposal?

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