asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the grave hardship and loss occasioned to labourers awaiting work and to farmers in the economic working of their farms by reason of the non-working of the Thurles Beet Factory; and if the Minister can now state when this factory will start operations so that all concerned can make plans accordingly.

I have nothing to add to the replies which I gave to Deputy Curran on 25th ultimo and 9th instant regarding the Thurles factory.

Will the Minister see that these interruptions of work do not occur again?

The Minister can control a number of things, but there is one thing he cannot control, and that is the weather.