Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

In summary, the special share prevents the disposal of the controlling interest in Irish Sugar Limited or the sugar assets and prevents a single shareholder or group of shareholders acting together from gaining control of Greencore plc. The special share does not allow me to interfere in the commercial decisions of the board.

The issue of the ownership of the quota has been raised in the context of the Commission's proposal to allow the possibility of cross border quota mobility. Several member states, including Ireland, are opposed to this idea. The Commission has indicated that if the proposal on quota mobility is maintained, it will propose appropriate rules to deal with that situation. In the meantime, I have sought the Attorney General's advice on the issue. I am aware that the ownership issue is unclear throughout the European Union.

In facing the future, I anticipate that there will be difficult and protracted negotiations on the reform proposals. As I stated earlier, my overall objective in these discussions will be to protect the viability of sugar beet growing and processing in this country. I will work vigorously in common with like-minded member states towards that end.

Following debate there were views that my position at negotiating level within the European Union would be undermined as a consequence of the decisions made by a private company. My view, and that of those I have spoken to and from whom I have taken advice, is that this in no way undermines, from a sugar beet point of view, the negotiations that will take place. The situation is difficult. The negotiations will be protracted. We do not have, in the political sense of the Council, support from the large players. However, we have a blocking minority. In any further discussions with the Commissioner, whom I met before Christmas, and working with our officials at Commission level, we will do all we can to support the sugar beet industry here.

To reiterate, for the many concerned elected Members in the House who represent constituencies that are affected, replacement jobs should be a priority.