Yesterday I asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries the following question:—
(a) Whether he is aware that the reorganisation of the home-spun industry in Co. Donegal is being seriously retarded by the prolonged and unnecessary delay on, the part of his Department in supplying a stamp; and (b) what decision has been reached in regard to supplying breaking and carding machines and dyeing baths to the Ardara district.
I received the following answer:—
I am not aware that the reorganisation of the home-spun industry is being retarded for the reason stated at (a). The mark of guarantee to which it is assumed the reference is made is applied by means of transfers, and any person desiring to have pieces of cloth so marked should apply to the Mart at Ardara or to my Department. The decision already taken that financial assistance cannot be given for the setting up of breaking and carding machines and dyeing baths at Ardara has not been altered. Great difficulty is being experienced by the Department in finding spinners in that area and it would appear highly unlikely that home-spun in sufficient quantities to justify the installation of the plant suggested can be made in the district for some considerable time to come.
Further, he stated: "The test as to whether or not the industry is being retarded for want of a stamp is the fact that we have had no application for it." Again, in reply to a supplementary question by me, he said: "I have already informed you that there have been no applications for the stamp, either to the Mart or to the Department by persons desirous of having cloths stamped." The Minister, by the replies he gave to me, endeavoured to lead the House to believe that no request had been put forward for a stamp. I may point out to the Minister that Deputy Law, on 17th October, 1928, put a question to him regarding the provision of a stamp at that particular time. The Minister, in reply, promised that the stamp would be provided. Before Christmas an inspector and an official from the Minister's Department gave the people in Ardara during the time they were there a specific promise that the stamp would be provided. So much for the Minister's contention that no request had been made for a stamp. Again, on 12th June of this year I find that a further question was put to the Minister as to "whether it has been decided to supply a stamp, to furnish carding and breaking machines, and facilities for dyeing the wool." The Minister was not in the House on that occasion, and the answer was given by Deputy Roddy, the Parliamentary Secretary, in which he stated: "It is proposed that there should be an official mark of quality and character to be applied under adequate safeguards."
So much for the Minister's contention that no request had been made for a stamp to be supplied. I would like to draw the attention of the Minister to what the Congested Districts Board did in regard to the industry in this respect. In the year 1893 the Irish Industries Association suggested that the Congested Districts Board should unite with them in an effort to improve the manufacture of hand-spun tweeds in the Ardara district. The improvements scheme provided for the establishment of a store for rolls of tweed; the inspection at monthly fair in Ardara of all the rolls submitted for examination; the stamping or branding of all rolls of thoroughly good manufacture; and the payment of a bonus of 1½d. per yard to the owner and a ½d. per yard to the weaver. Sufficient precautions were devised to guard against improper claims. As a result, both the quality and price of the tweeds improved greatly. Again, I would like to point out to the Minister that the Gaeltacht Commission set up with regard to improving the economic conditions in the Gaeltacht and assisting the language, recommended:
The homespun industry, that is, the weaving of homespun yarns in the homes of the people, is, in the opinion of the Commission, capable of being made a very valuable industry in many parts of the Gaeltacht. All the local circumstances point to this. The industry has been brought to its present unsatisfactory position largely by lack of supervision and by failure to keep abreast of modern requirements. The Commission is of opinion that the industry can and should be reestablished by the State.
And further it states: "Arrangements should be made at such centres as Carrick and Ardara in County Donegal and at some suitable centre or centres in County Galway, for the stamping of approved cloth." I would also direct the attention of the Minister to an article which appeared in the official publication, as I understand, of the Cumann na nGaedheal Party in a paper called "The Star" (although it does not shine very brightly). About the month of May an article appeared in that paper which was written by a Deputy of this House, and with which I am in agreement. It stated: "First and foremost, it is generally agreed that it is necessary (a) to revive the practice of examining the webs of cloth and affixing to such as are up to standard a Government mark as a guarantee of quality."