asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether when making orders imposing Customs duties under the Emergency Imposition of Duties Acts the Executive Council has borne in mind the special circumstances of the town of Clones, where, owing to the proximity of the Border on three sides, the ordinary business of the town has been destroyed by the growing tariff wall, and the people are in consequence unemployed and in many cases destitute; and whether, in the event of the Executive Council determining to establish further industries by the imposition of prohibitive duties, they will require at least one of them to be located in Clones, in order that the unemployed there may be afforded the opportunity of earning their living.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Position of Clones.
All relevant considerations are taken into account when imposing duties under the Emergency Imposition of Duties Act, 1932. In the particular case of Clones, efforts have been made, and are still being made to have a suitable industry established there and various proposals have been discussed with representative citizens and local deputies. Any sound proposal having that object in view will receive all the support I have power to afford.
Has the Minister changed his mind then in regard to Clones, since he prohibited the establishment of a factory there which required no additional tariffs, and no support from the Government, and no subsidy of any kind?
If the Deputy will consult with those who represented the county before he was elected, he will get some information as to what was proposed.
The Deputy proposes to consult with those living in the county, and not with those who misrepresented it so long.