asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will give special consideration to the request of the Waterford Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce that Waterford be chosen as the site of the new cement factory in view of the fact that it has all the necessary requirements, including raw materials, water, shipping, rail and waterway facilities and proximity to fuel supply, whether from native coal mines or from Wales, and is also well placed in relation to Drogheda and Limerick from the point of view of the decentralisation of industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cement Factory Site.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the potentialities of the limestone quarries at Laffansbridge, County Tipperary, he will request the Industrial Development Authority to consider the feasibility of establishing a cement factory in the area.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether any consideration has been given by his Department to the establishment of a publicly owned and controlled cement factory at or near the ports of Sligo or Galway; and, if so, with what result.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the great loss suffered by the people of Mayo as a result of the stoppage of turf production and the acute congestion and widespread emigration from the county, he will consider erecting the proposed new cement factory in County Mayo.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 30, 31 and 32 together.
As I have already stated in reply to somewhat similar questions from Deputies in other constituencies, the whole question of the country's needs of additional supplies of cement and how these needs can best be supplied is under active consideration at present and I am not yet in a position to say what the final decision of the Government will be as to what steps will be taken, and in what area, to provide the additional quantities of cement that the country requires.
When does the Minister think he will arrive at a decision?
I hope very soon.
Is the Minister fully aware of the urgency of this in view of the price?
I am, and I am aware that it did not become urgent recently. It has been urgent for a considerable time. It is a very difficult time.
Will the Minister undertake that, as far as possible, the setting up of such a factory will not be left to private enterprise, but will be undertaken by the State?
That is a separate question.
Is the Minister taking into consideration the possibility of an export market for Irish cement so as to make it possible for him to go out on a much bolder plan than if he were only trying to provide for domestic purposes?
Every possible contingency is taken into consideration.
Can the Minister say why it is that Deputy Lehane is so interested in Sligo and Galway, and not in Dublin central?
That is irrelevant.
Because, unlike Deputy MacEntee, he is not constantly vote catching.
That is also irrelevant.
You are vote losing.