Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the contact she has had with Greencore since the closure of the Carlow beet factory; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that farmers will have problems with beet transport; her plans for beet farmers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5249/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The decision regarding Carlow sugar factory was discussed in the course of a meeting I had recently with the company in question. I am aware of concerns about beet transport arrangements consequent on this decision. I have called on the company and the farming organisation representing the beet growers to engage in meaningful discussion on this issue at the appropriate decision-making level. I am confident that, on this basis, the company and the beet growers concerned will be able to work out satisfactory arrangements to deal with the new situation. The company has already announced plans for a new rail depot to be established in the Carlow region to assist beet growers make their deliveries.