asked the Minister for Supplies whether he is aware that, owing to the shortage of steel supplies, Messrs. Smith and Pearson, Limited, Dublin, have been able to keep certain of their workers in employment only by transferring them from their works in Dublin to their works in Newry: that, by doing so, they have also been enabled to keep draftsmen, tool-makers and others working in Dublin, whom they would not otherwise have been able to maintain in employment and that, in order to continue to secure the employment of these workers, they require to transfer to their Newry works one punch and one drilling machine, which they have no prospect of requiring for work in Dublin; and if he will say for what reason he has refused the permit for this transfer, in view of the fact that such refusal is likely to affect adversely the continued employment of a number of the firm's workers both in Dublin and in Newry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Special Machinery Export Permit.
Representations of the nature indicated by the Deputy were made to me by Messrs. Smith and Pearson in support of applications submitted by them for licences to export machinery to their works in Newry, and on consideration of these as well as other representations by the firm, and having regard to an assurance given orally on their behalf that no further similar concessions would be sought, I agreed in August, 1941, to the export of a number of machines, including a punch and drill ing machine. Subsequently, applications for licences to export additional machines were made, but in view of present and anticipated future supply difficulties, I am not prepared to grant these applications.
Can the Minister say if an application for the export of any other machinery except one additional punch and one drilling machine was made?
I do not think so.
Is the Minister aware that there is danger about the continued employment of draftsmen and other workers in Dublin and Newry by holding back two small pieces of machinery for which at present there is no use here? I do not think the Minister has been able to indicate that there is likely to be use for them here in the near future.
This firm applied last year for a permit to export certain machines. I gave that permit because of certain representations advanced by them which appeared to suggest that it would be to our advantage that the machines should be exported. It did not prove to be so. At the time the firm gave an assurance that they would not again have to apply for similar permission to export other machinery. They have now applied for permission to export other machines and I am not prepared to grant it. These machines, whether immediately required by the firm or not, are irreplaceable in present circumstances. It is not possible for us to procure machines of this type and I think it would be contrary to our interests to allow them to go outside.
Will the Minister say in what way it has been to our disadvantage when Dublin workmen who were unable to get employment here are now assured of employment in Newry with their own firm, seeing that one result has been that clerical and other technical staff have been continued in employment here? In what way will the Minister's decision be to our advantage?
I do not think it is to our disadvantage.
The Minister suggested that the export of the machinery should not be to our disadvantage.
What I said was that the advantages we were led to expect as a result of the export of the machines did not materialise.
Will the Minister say what advantages other than keeping Dublin workmen at work he expected to derive?
Certain supplies of materials.