asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether he has received protests from persons carrying on private knitting businesses in Donegal against the continuance of knitting businesses supported by the State under the Gaeltacht Industries scheme; and, if so, if he will state the grounds upon which their objections to the Gaeltacht Industries schemes are based.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Knitting Businesses in Donegal.
The only complaint from Donegal has been received from an Ardara manufacturer whose complaint was based on (1) undercutting in prices; (2) over-production, and (3) Government trading.
In October, 1932, certain manufacturers at a meeting of the Advisory Committee for the Hosiery and Knitting Trades, under the auspices of the Department of Industry and Commerce, made statements to the effect that products of the Gaeltacht Industries Depot were being sold at non-competitive prices, and that at intervals the Depot appeared to cut prices for the purpose of clearing stocks.
The Department replied that products were sold at competitive prices, goods which had gone out of fashion being sold, as is customary in the trade, at reduced prices.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say if he is satisfied that there were no grounds for the complaints, or if he referred in any way to the Prices Tribunal to assist him to deal with the complaints made? Are we to understand that the action taken in shutting down these industries now arises out of the type of complaint received?
I am satisfied that there were no real grounds for the complaints. The action taken has no direct bearing on these complaints.