Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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317. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to restore a native sugar industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45547/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In 2006, the EU introduced a restructuring mechanism intended to reduce overall production of sugar, acknowledging the then global over supply and resultant low prices being achieved. Ireland secured €353 million as part of the reform package with some €220 million being distributed to beet growers and a further €6 million to machinery contractors in the sector.]

Since 2006, a number of groups have expressed an interest in the redevelopment of the sugar sector, two of whom prepared desktop feasibility studies between 2010 and 2011. In their findings, both proposals sought to develop a new sugar and bio ethanol production facility with capital costs, estimated at the time, of between €250 million and €400 million.

As part of the reform of the CAP, agreement was secured on the abolition of sugar quotas from 30 September 2017. From that date, investors in the European Union, including Ireland, are free to invest in sugar producing capacity if they wish.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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318. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish a wool forum to discuss ways in which the decline in wool prices can be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45548/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The key recommendation of the Review of Market Opportunities for Irish-Grown Wool-Based Products was the establishment of an independent, all-Island wool council.

The Irish Grown Wool Council was formed on 5 April 2023 and is an independent stakeholder-led Council. Members of the Council represent a wide range of different industries and interests from within the wool sector including educators, designers, crafters, farmers, wool merchants, sheep shearers as well as industry representatives and farming organisations.

The Council aims to bring wool stakeholders across the island of Ireland together to realise the potential of Irish Grown Wool as a natural, sustainable and versatile material.

I am not considering a further forum at this stage.