asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) what action he intends to take to compel the owners of the Irish woollen and hosiery mills to manufacture the full clothing requirements of the Irish people, and (b) if he will agree to establish a board comprising representatives of employers and the workers engaged in the industry, and a chairman appointed by him with the aim of achieving the necessary output, and thereby ensuring continuous employment for workers in the industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Woollen and Hosiery Mills' Output.
At present the problem of Irish woollen and hosiery mills is not one of increasing productive capacity, but of increasing sales of their goods, and thereby securing full utilisation of existing capacity. In so far as there may be classes of woollen and hosiery goods not at present being produced here, the extension of the industries on an efficient and permanent basis is hardly likely to be achieved by methods of compulsion. It is the Government's policy to secure such expansion by encouraging and facilitating it in the normal way.
With regard to the establishment of joint councils for these industries, consideration is being given to reviving, although perhaps in amended form, certain proposals which were contained in the Industrial Efficiency and Prices Bill, 1947.
Is the Minister satisfied that the Irish mills cannot at present supply the requirements of the Irish people?
I am aware that the mills at present are not fully employed and that the immediate concern of their managements is to keep their existing capacity fully utilised.
Is the Minister aware that they could not do so last year?
Is the Minister satisfied that the Irish mills are not capable of supplying the full clothing requirements of the Irish people?
I understand the full capacity of existing woollen mills would not be sufficient to supply the full requirements of the people.
Is it not time that they should be in a position to do so after all the years of protection?
Very considerable progress has been made.