asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state, with reference to the statement made by him on Thursday, 16th October, to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, (1) the particular aspects of the country's circumstances which have been made the subject of examination by experts or groups of experts; (2) upon which of these a report has been received; and (3) whether it is his intention to publish these reports immediately.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reports of Experts.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, with reference to his statement to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, 16th October, he will give particulars of the special separate interests which, by reason of being considered to be directly concerned, (1) have already been furnished with the reports of experts, and (2) are intended to be so furnished.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.
During the latter half of 1951 a general appraisal of Ireland's industrial potential was carried out by American experts under the E.C.A. Technical Assistance Programme. The report which has been received deals with the industrial, financial and agricultural economy of the country. The question of publishing the report is under examination in consultation with other Departments concerned. There are no special separate interests concerned with the report which is of a general nature.
The dollar export potential of a number of our industries has recently been examined by a group of United States experts engaged by Córas Tráchtála Teo. The report made by the group includes a general survey of dollar export possibilities, an appraisal of certain industries and individual factories visited by the experts and certain suggestions for new industrial development.
I have requested Córas Tráchtála Teo. to prepare for publication an edited version of the report omitting confidential information about individual firms.
Córas Tráchtála Teo. will convey the unabridged findings of the group to all the special interests directly concerned. Advantage was taken of the presence of this group to get them to examine the organisation and operation of Gaeltarra Éireann. Their report is with the Minister for Lands.
Can the Minister say when he expects publication of these reports will be made available generally?
I would find it difficult to say. The first report to which I referred is a very elaborate report, and if it had to be reprinted it would take some time, I think. Consideration will be given possibly to some limited publication and of making some copies available to Deputies.
Would the Minister consider in the meantime making a copy of the report available in the Library for reference?
The report is in the custody of the Industrial Development Authority and they tell me that they are asking the observations of the different Departments of the Government on the publication of the report. Having regard to its contents, and following the receipt of the comments of the Departments, the question of publication will then be considered.