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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Dec 1951

Vol. 128 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Athlone Woollen Mills.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the unnecessary delay that has occurred in putting the woollen mills in Athlone into full production; and, if so, whether he is prepared to take any action in the matter in view of the urgent necessity for providing much needed industrial employment in rural areas.

I share the desire of the Deputy to see the Athlone Woollen Mills again in full production and I have offered to assist the company towards this goal in every way open to me. I am informed that the delay in resuming production is due to difficulty in getting delivery of all the necessary machinery.

Is the Minister aware that on 14th March, 1950, I put a question to the former Minister for Industry and Commerce and got a similar reply, that the hold-up was due to the difficulty of securing the machinery for which orders had been placed? I am sure that the Minister is aware that this factory has been burned down for eight or nine years. The general belief amongst the business people in Athlone and amongst those people who would like to secure employment is that there is no real desire in the minds of those people who run this factory to reopen it.

The Deputy will appreciate that I have some difficulty in discussing the affairs of a private firm. The managing director was recently interviewed and his intentions ascertained. I understand that orders for a number of looms were placed about June last and are now being delivered.

The mills were burned down in 1941 or 1942 and would the Minister not agree that to place orders in June last is not a correct way to carry on business in the interests of the people of Athlone? If no further moves are made by these people would the Minister consider acquiring this factory under the new Bill for undeveloped areas and reopening it under Government control?

I think the Deputy should appreciate that it was the intention of the manager to install looms of a particular type which he was unable to procure. Then, there was a decision to install looms of the kind that could be obtained.

I remember the Minister, when he was on the other side of the House, saying that he would have the looms installed if he were Minister.

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