asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will have discussions with the management of Siúicre Éireann cpt to avert the scaling down of operations in Tuam sugar factory.

When the Government decided in December 1983 that the proposal of Siúicre Éireann to cease production of sugar at Tuam should not then be proceeded with, it indicated that a substantial saving in the cost of operating the factory must be achieved and that this would involve a significant reduction in the work force.

I asked the Minister if he would have discussions with the management of Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann in view of the fact that since we voted money in this House in 1982 not one penny has been spent on plant modernisation in Tuam. Over the past four years 140 jobs have been lost in that factory. Will the Minister have discussions with the management to avert the scaling down which is going on in Tuam? That factory was closed down temporarily for two months during this year. Can I get a guarantee that it will not be closed down for a similar period in 1987?

The Deputy should ask John Rafter.

We cannot give any such guarantee. The Deputy must bear in mind that the sugar company are being run by a board.

(Limerick West): The Minister's colleague is amazed at him.

His colleague is delighted.

Both his colleagues.

As a matter of fact, the Thurles beet factory was also closed down for a period. These are commercial decisions.

Can the Minister give us a guarantee, in view of the fact that the chief executive officer says one thing and the Minister says another? Can we have a practical example from the Government and will they talk to the company about averting the scaling down in Tuam?

I am sure the Deputy paid rare heed to what the management said.

I ask the Minister to move on to priority questions.

May I ask the Minister if he would arrange for talks——

I am now moving on to priority questions.