asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any representations were made to him with a view to having a biscuit factory established in Clones, and whether his Department refused to afford any facilities for the enterprise; and, if so, if he will state what were the reasons for his refusal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Proposed Biscuit Factory (Clones).
An inquiry was received from the Clones Industrial Development Association asking if a project for the manufacture of biscuits in clones under licence would be approved. That body was informed that before granting or refusing a new manufacture licence, regard must be had to the provisions of Clause 6 of the Control of Manufactures Regulations, 1932, and that as the requirements of the country in the manufacture of biscuits were being provided for adequately by existing manufacturers, I was not prepared to grant a licence. I added that, having regard to the present position of the industry, it would be contrary to the policy of the Government to accord any special facilities to a company proposing to establish a new biscuit factory.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, would it be true to say that, stripped of his verbiage, the Minister's reply was "you will not be allowed to start a factory in Clones which will interfere with the factory in my constituency"?
No, I declined to allow an external company to start a factory in Clones to compete with a native concern.
The firm in question is an Irish firm and has been in Ireland for the past 100 years.
I do not know what firm is referred to.
Marsh's of Belfast.
The communication which was received did not refer to any particular firm.
Why does the Minister say it did not refer to any particular firm?
The Clones Association desired to know if I would permit an external firm to operate there.
Arising out of that, the categorical reply was that the Minister was not in full possession of the facts.
The Deputy may ask a Supplementary Question only.
Does the Minister deny that, until this moment, he did not know that the firm which proposed to establish a biscuit factory in Clones was Marsh's of Belfast?
I know everything.
I believe you knew that, but you did not pretend you did.