asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the present position regarding the extension of the cement factories at Limerick and Drogheda.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Cement Factories.
This matter is still under consideration.
I did not hear the reply.
The Deputy says he did not hear the reply.
I do not think I should be asked to repeat every answer for the benefit of noisy Opposition Deputies.
Both sides of the House are contributing to the disorder.
Deputies on this side of the House have been unable to hear the replies to the last three questions.
I am asking the Parliamentary Secretary to reply to No. 44 again.
This matter is still under consideration.
Can he say how long more it will be under consideration?
Sixteen years!
I cannot say.
Is it not a fact that there were 160,000 tons of foreign cement imported last year and that cement is still being imported at a higher cost than the native article is available at? How long will that continue?
The production of cement is now considerably higher than it was when the Deputy's Government was in office.
The Deputy's Government was responsible for establishing the cement industry in Limerick and Drogheda, and if the Deputy's Government were in power this extension would have been carried out by now.
There were no plans available to carry it out.