Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

At the time the growers, workers and farm leaders recognised this viable industry had a viable future in the viable Mallow factory. We are now at a tragic loss as a result of the Government, and the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, having been complicit with the European Commission in accepting false figures which led to the shutdown of the industry.

The report from the European Court of Auditors raises a matter of grave importance deserving of a debate today. We must tell the Government and the European Commission that there is a moral obligation to work with the appropriate stakeholders to see if a sugar industry can be re-introduced into Ireland.