asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether any permits or approvals have been given to any persons to start or to extend any industries in the Free State on the understanding that a licence contemplated in the Control of Manufactures Bill, 1932, will, if necessary, be subsequently issued to them; and, if so, if he will state in each case (a) the name of the person or persons to whom such permit or approval has been issued; (b) the nature of the industry; (c) the proposed location; (d) the capital proposed to be invested; (c) the estimated number of employees; (f) the estimated annual amount of salaries and wages, and (g) the conditions which it is contemplated will be attached to any licence when issued.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Government Approval of Industrial Schemes.
I have indicated to certain applicants for a licence under the provisions of the Control of Manufactures Bill, 1932, that in due course I would be prepared to grant a licence under the provisions of that Act, subject to certain conditions. At this stage I do not consider it desirable to make known the names of the parties to whom such intimations have been conveyed or the nature of the conditions which it is proposed to attach to the giving of any particular licence. At the moment it is not possible to supply the information asked for under headings (c), (d), (e) and (f) of the question.
Will the Minister undertake to give us a statement in general terms as to the conditions which would ordinarily be laid on firms desiring to engage in industry in the country?
The Control of Manufactures Bill has not become law. A number of firms which have approached the Department have been informed in general terms of the nature of the conditions that will be likely to apply in their particular cases. Our experience in relation to the matter and the position which the majority of the applications have reached would, I think, make it impossible and undesirable that a statement of the kind suggested by the Deputy should be made now. I will undertake to consider the form in which a general statement relating to the operations under the Act could be given to the Dáil after the Act has been passed.
Will the Minister not consider making public the questions that are asked of firms desiring to engage in manufacturing business here?
No.
I understand that there is a list of questions which are put to firms and that it is on that that their applications are refused or accepted. Could the Minister see his way to publish these questions?
The Deputy's information is incorrect.
They are not asked any questions then?
I did not say that.
The Minister has indicated that although the Control of Manufactures Bill is not yet law he has in fact expressed to certain firms his conditional approval of their proposals to establish industries in the country. It is not considered desirable that the House should know at least the generality of the terms before the Bill becomes law?
I am afraid that I cannot follow the question. The House has been given an indication of the general nature of the considerations that are likely to be taken into account in relation to any application and also the conditions that might be attached to particular firms, or the application of certain conditions, but obviously each case must be considered in relation to its own merits and in relation to the situation in respect of the industry in which the firm concerned proposes to engage.
That is why I phrased the question "generality of conditions." I agree it is quite reasonable to say that the conditions will vary according to particular firms; but there must be something common to all applications, something which is hidden under a phrase which has not yet been inserted in the Bill. That is to say "such other terms and conditions which the Minister may establish." Surely it is desirable that the House should know before the Bill becomes law what are the general conditions which the Minister seeks to impose upon foreign firms engaging in industry.
I would say that the only conditions which would be contained in respect of the application would be conditions of this kind:— first, that wherever practicable citizens of the Saorstát should be employed by the firms concerned; secondly, that as far as practicable all raw materials should be procured from this State and that work in the nature of printing should be given within the Saorstát. There are certain general conditions of that kind which will apply all round, but over and above those there may be in particular cases specific limitations attached to each consent given.
This question might get away from the hypothetical. The question has been with regard to permits or approvals given to any persons, that is by way of provisional permit or approval. The Minister cannot indicate in relation to these firms' applications the conditions that may be attached, but there have been conditions attached, and it is not desirable that the House should know these conditions?
Not at this stage.
Is it not desirable prior to the Bill becoming law, that on the section which relates to this matter the House should know what conditions the Minister has in mind with regard to permits, provisional or otherwise?
When that section of the Bill is under discussion I will be prepared to make a statement indicating in general terms the manner in which it is proposed to administer the powers conferred.