asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the fact that the sugar factory at Mallow is unable to cater fully for the increased beet acreage within the factory area, with consequent loss and hardship to producers, he will consider taking action in conjunction with Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann to provide a factory at Bandon.

Arrangements for the processing of beet are the responsibility of Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teoranta and I have no function in this regard. I understand that the acreage of beet assigned to the Mallow factory for the current campaign is up by 500 acres on last year and that this increase in intake will extend the campaign by ten days. The company is satisfied that the factory can cater adequately for this increase without loss or hardship to growers. If increased beet acreage should exceed the capacity of the existing factories in the future, the company would extend that capacity rather than build a new factory.