Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will report on the discussions she had with the EU, its officials and the Commissioner regarding the impact that the leaked beet reforms would have on the Irish beet industry. [23047/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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A Commission communication on the reform of the sugar regime was presented to the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament on 14 July 2004 and was subsequently the subject of considerable debate within the Council of Ministers and also at official level committees. I also discussed the Commission communication with the new Commissioner when I met her bilaterally in Brussels on 20 December 2004. I outlined to her my concerns about the negative impact it would have on the industry in Ireland in order to ensure that the Commission would be aware of our interests during the formulation of definitive proposals. Subsequently, officials of my Department had a bilateral meeting with the Commission during the preparation of the definitive proposals. On the day following the publication of the definitive proposals, I met with the Commissioner, during her visit to Ireland, to outline my opposition to the proposals.