Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken in re-opening the Irish sugar beet industry; the communications he has had with other EU member States on this issue; the support he has received from other EU member States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31523/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In 2011 I met with two groups who individually carried out feasibility studies into the revival of a sugar/bioethanol facility in Ireland. I stated at both meetings that I was in favour of the total abolition of the sugar quota, when the current regime ends on the 30 September 2015. I also stated at both meetings that if there is to be a new facility, that only one would be sustainable and that it would have to make sound commercial sense and stand on its own feet.

I have strongly supported the abolition of sugar quotas from 30 September 2015 as part of the ongoing CAP reform discussions and at each Council of Ministers meeting since October 2011, which has addressed this issue, I have intervened to fully support the Commission proposals for quota abolition. During the course of Commissioner Ciolos's visit to Dublin in January 2012, I informed him of the growing momentum in Ireland for the revival of the sugar industry.

I also informed the Commissioner that while Ireland supports quota abolition in 2015, if the regime continues beyond that date, Ireland does not want to be deprived in the interim period of the option to recommence production. I can assure the Deputy that I am actively involved in the negotiations between Member States on all aspects of the CAP Reform Proposals, including those concerning the EU sugar regime, which are continuing.