asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the cause of the delay in extending the cement factory at Tarple, Mungret, County Limerick.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Cement Factory.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether the cement factory at Castlemungret, Limerick, was designed so as to provide for a subsequent doubling of output capacity; and, if so, whether he will arrange to have the equipping of this factory completed, in view of the fact that this course would be the most natural and practical method of extending cement production.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to reply to Questions Nos. 31 and 32 together. As I have already stated in reply to other questions from Deputies, 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 in the matter.
Can the Minister give any indication as to when a decision is likely to be reached? Is it not a fact that this has been under consideration for a considerable time?
For a very considerable time. I could not tell the Deputy exactly when a decision will be reached but I can assure the Deputy that I am more anxious than even he is to have a decision on it.