Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We in Sinn Féin, and many others, totally opposed the closure of the sugar beet industry. It should never have been privatised but should have remained in public ownership. That industry served rural Ireland very well. Sugar beet should have been retained as a rotation crop for corn and wheat producers. There are encouraging signs at the moment, so can the Minister provide an update on whether a private consultancy is at an advanced stage in trying to bring this industry back into the country?

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