The Minister has lost jobs instead of gaining them.

Contrary to the Minister's commitment to increase job opportunities at Thurles Sugar Factory the opposite has happened in that between May and July of this year 27 staff will have been notified that they will be disemployed. That is contrary to what was contained in the document.

I would like to remind Deputy Lowry that the question relates only to the constitution of the board of Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann. Deputy Lowry does not seem to have been in contact with what is happening in the sugar plant in Thurles. The issue he referred to has been resolved by agreement by the unions, who it has to be said were excellently represented, and the board. The board resolved the issue he is now complaining about to the satisfaction of the unions.

You promised the opposite.

The Minister promised to increase employment.

If Deputy Lowry was a little bit more in contact with what is happening in his constituency — and God knows he is there often enough——

I assure Deputies that there will be more employment in Thuries.

The total so far is minus 27 and plus one.

I must now move to questions nominated for priority.