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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Mar 1936

Vol. 60 No. 15

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Closing of Flour Mills.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the Avoncore Mills, Midleton, which were opened on 24th February, were closed down as from 7th March; whether he is aware that by reason of the mills being closed down 69 persons were thrown out of employment; if he can state the reason for the closing down, and if he is in a position to secure that steps will be taken to obviate the hardship occasioned to the employees by the state of uncertainty which appears to exist in connection with the operation of this mill.

I am informed that the Avoncore Mills, Midleton, were closed temporarily on the 7th instant, but the number of persons disemployed in consequence of such closing is, I understand, substantially less than that stated in the Deputy's question. I am informed that the reason for the temporary closing of the mills was one over which the management had no control. I am not in a position to secure the continuous operation of this mill in all circumstances.

What was the reason?

I am not aware of the reason. I am not responsible for the management of flour mills. That is entirely the concern of the owners.

In view of the tariffs and of the protection that this industry is getting, could the Minister not have inquired as to the reason for closing down?

The mill is under an obligation to mill a certain quota of wheat during the year. If it fails to carry out its statutory obligation, then it will be subject to the penalties which the Cereals Act provides. If it carries out its obligation to mill that prescribed quantity of wheat, the purpose of the Cereals Act is executed.

Arising out of the Minister's reply, that he has no responsibility for the management of flour mills, is it not a fact that several mills closed down because the Minister's production quota allotted to these mills was exhausted and he could not see his way to give them any further quota?

That is a separate question.

The Minister says he has no responsibility for the management of a flour mill so as to answer a question as to why that mill closed down. He says that for certain reasons this mill has closed down, but he refuses to tell us what the reasons are because he says he has no control over such reasons. I want to ask if he has not closed down several mills because he could not see his way to give them a production quota which would make it possible for them to remain open within the law.

I am not aware that a single mill closed down because of the inadequacy of the quota allotted to it. I am aware that eight mills which closed down during the Cumann na nGaedheal régime have opened during the past couple of years.

Does the Minister deny that several mills closed down because they had milled the quota allotted to them?

I do not know of a single mill which closed for that reason.

Better make inquiries.

Will the Deputy name a mill?

Will the Minister say if any dismissals of workmen have been due to overmilling?

I have seen it stated that this mill closed down because a cargo of wheat was held up by bad weather.

That was the second one. The first was due to overmilling.

Is the present allocation of quotas and the apparent inability to supervise the production of the milling plants now creating a situation in the milling industry in which there is going to be periodic unemployment for milling workers?

The flour mills are not producing sufficient flour to supply the requirements of the people.

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