asked the Minister for Agriculture the amount of money that will be allocated to CSET this year, giving a breakdown of where the money will be spent.

4.

asked the Minister for Agriculture the amount of money allocated for Tuam sugar factory in 1984; if he will give details of any modernisation that will be undertaken in the factory in the coming year; the number of staff to be employed permanently in the factory in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

5.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will make a statement on the proposed level of redundancies at Tuam sugar factory, County Galway.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, together. Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teoranta are not in receipt of a direct Exchequer allocation. The other information requested relates to the detailed operations of the company which are a matter for the company itself.

Could the Minister tell us what money will be allocated to Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann this year and if there will be an investment in the Tuam sugar factory?

I cannot tell the House anything about the internal workings of the Sugar Company. That is a matter for the company and is recognised procedure in this House. The Sugar Manufacture (Amendment) Act, 1982, provided for an increase from £10 million to £75 million in the authorised share capital of the company. Of the extra £65 million, some £50 million has been taken up, including £20 million which was allocated on 21 December 1983.

Is the Minister aware that the chairman of CSET said in his report that it would be necessary to take appropriate steps to achieve substantial savings in the cost of operating the Tuam factory? Can the Minister say how this will be done in 1984?

No, these are matters for the Sugar Company and I do not dictate methods to them.

But the Minister must accept what the chairman of the Sugar Company said——

I am not going to comment one way or the other.