Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

A week and a half ago we debated the issue of the Greencore decision to close the sugar factory in Carlow, and the beet industry at large. As a result, the rail depot in Carlow will not go ahead. It did not even get as far as preplanning stage. In light of this and in light of last week's decision by Greencore on the Banagher factory, it is time we called in the Minister for Agriculture and Food to explain who exactly is in charge of agriculture. The Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, has regularly made contradictory statements to those of the Government.