asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that 38 Dublin plaster board workers have lost their employment because of the failure of their employers to secure licences to export their surplus products which are not required for home consumption, and if he will take steps to have the matter reconsidered as soon as possible.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Plaster Board Workers.
Mr. Byrne
I am aware that a firm manufacturing plaster boards was closed for four days during the week ended March 22nd, but reopened on March 24th. An application for a licence to export plaster boards had been received from this firm and refused by me, as I was not satisfied that the position in respect of supplies of a raw material required for the production of these goods was such as to justify the granting of such licence. Subsequently an undertaking was received from the firm in question relating to the maintenance of a minimum stock of this raw material, and a licence to export a fixed quantity of plaster boards was issued.
I wish it to be understood, however, that export licences will not be granted in any case where the export of the goods concerned might result in a shortage of materials here. I can give no undertaking that the licence granted in this case can be renewed at any subsequent date.
Mr. Byrne
I should like to inform the Minister that the men are back at work and they appreciate the action taken by the Minister.
Is the Minister aware that about 50 men were disemployed for six weeks, and not for the period that the Minister mentions, as a result of not getting the licence? Why was there such delay? Why was it necessary for about 50 men to lose their employment for six weeks?
I am not so aware. It was quite clear that a shortage of these materials would result in the disemployment of a much larger number of people in this country. The Deputy must realise that the supply of raw materials in the case of that one factory would not determine the supplies that might be necessary for the whole country.
Were not all the facts represented to the Minister in such a way as to convince him ultimately, but it was only after 50 men were disemployed for six weeks that there was a sufficient supply of materials obtainable?
I am not so satisfied. The Deputy will understand that one firm may be quite comfortable in the matter of raw materials, while other firms may not have raw materials, and we have to be concerned not with the position of one firm but with the position of the industry generally for the purpose of ensuring that requisite supplies will be available.