asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if any steps have been taken, and, if so, what steps, to secure the re-opening of the Drinagh Cement Works, now owned by the Cement Marketing Co., and if he is aware that large quantities of cement are regularly required by public bodies in the Saorstát, and if steps will be taken to have their requirements manufactured in local factories.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RE-OPENING OF CEMENT WORKS.
My Department has from time to time discussed with various parties the prospects of opening a cement factory, but has not so far succeeded in inducing any persons to do so under the present conditions in which cement can be produced elsewhere and marketed. It was for the same reasons that representations made to the company owning the Drinagh Cement Works failed to induce that company to re-open these works.
Until such time as there is a cement factory working in the Saorstát, nothing can be done in the direction of requiring public bodies to purchase cement made here.
That is poor encouragement for home industry.
One cannot have encouragement of home industry until the industry is located at home.
It is a poor way to procure work for the unemployed. There were one hundred men engaged at the Drinagh Cement Works and, as a result of their closing, these men have been walking the roads for the last two years.