Government intervenes in sugar dispute

The Government has intervened in the crisis at the Irish Sugar plants.

Junior Agriculture Minister Noel Davern has been holding separate talks with both the company and the IFA today in an attempt to resolve the stand-off.

Irish Sugar last night rejected former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds as an arbitrator and insisted talks will only go ahead with farmers if supplies of raw beet resume and there is agreement to bring in an independent adjudicator on price.

However, the IFA is unhappy with the company's attitude towards Mr Reynolds and want no pre-conditions to be attached to talks.

Both sugar plants in Mallow and Carlow remain closed today, with the future uncertain for their combined 650 staff.