asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will consider the publication monthly of the applications for tariffs or quotas made to the Industrial Development Authority within the preceding month, and if he will further consider the publication in similar form of such recommendations as are made by the Industrial Development Authority to the Government.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Development Authority.
I regret that I could not accept the Deputy's suggestion for publication of applications for tariffs or quotas which by their very nature must be regarded as confidential until they have been considered by the Government. Neither could I see my way to publish the recommendations made to me by the Industrial Development Authority.
Could the Minister undertake, without disclosing the nature or character of the applications, at least to publish information giving the number of such applications?
Any prior publicity in relation to the examination of tariffs or quotas could only result in attempts being made at forestalling, which would negative, at least to some extent, the benefits which would be given if protection were subsequently decided upon.
Does the Minister not agree that there could be no question of forestalling if the information published was confined to the number of applications made, thereby achieving the purpose of letting the public know the work being done by the Industrial Development Authority?
Or the work not being done.
In reply to Deputy Lehane, I do not think I could agree with that.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will direct the attention of the Industrial Development Authority to the urgent need for the establishment of an industry in or adjacent to Swords, County Dublin, where large numbers of workers are compelled to rely upon casual and temporary employment with consequent recurrent periods of hardship and insecurity.
The Industrial Development Authority are already aware of the need to establish industries in the smaller towns. The authority will be glad to offer every encouragement and assistance to efforts designed to attract new industrial projects to such areas.
Can the Minister give the House any information as to what steps this body is taking or proposes to take to implement that policy?
I hope to give a good deal of information to the House on that subject when I am introducing the Second Stage of the Bill.
Would the Minister not consider the possibility of directing the Industrial Development Authority to erect a factory in the area in view of the opening that exists for the manufacture of cycles? This matter got publicity in the Press last Sunday.
The Minister will not take on himself the responsibility for directing the Industrial Development Authority to establish a factory in any particular town or village. I have trouble enough.