asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether he has received a communication from the Slane Brick Company, Limited regarding its production and disposal of clayware pipes used in land drainage, and, if so, if he has any proposals under consideration which will enable the company to retain their staff in full employment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Slane Brick Company, Limited.
I have received representations from manufacturers concerning disposal of stocks of clay drainage pipes. The manufacture of clay drainage pipes is protected by means of a tariff of 75 per cent. (50 per cent. preferential) and duty-free facilities are not provided. I understand that drainage work under the land rehabilitation project is necessarily of a seasonal nature as ground conditions during the winter months restrict it very much and it is probable that, this year, the bad weather and the late harvest have caused the amount of drainage work to contract somewhat earlier than usual. I have no doubt, however, that, as in previous seasons, the market will revive early in the spring.
Is the Minister aware that 20 of the employees of this concern are now laid off and that in the very near future apparently the balance of the staff, 64 people in all, will be laid off also? I understand it is a difficult business, when premises such as these close down, to resume the work again. In view of the appeal that has been made to industrialists both in general and in particular to increase production, I would like to put it to the Minister to do everything he possibly can to enable this firm to continue in production.
I would be willing to do anything I possibly could in the matter, but it is not clear to me that it is possible, with the resources at my disposal, to do anything. I have no funds which would enable me to purchase these pipes. In any case, they do not represent any ancillary part of my Department. As I have indicated in my reply, the manufacture of clay drainage pipes is protected by means of a tariff of 75 per cent. (50 per cent. preferential) and duty-free facilities are not provided for the importation of pipes. It will be seen, therefore, that the company is very substantially protected in the Irish market. It may have run into exceptional difficulties this year because of the bad weather. I shall be only too glad to consider any suggestion which the Deputy may make by which I can help the company, but it is not easy to see in what field I can help.
Is the Minister aware that other concerns engaged in the manufacture of drainage pipes similar to those made at this brick works are in full production and will he consider an investigation to find out the real cause of the dismissal of these men because it is reported that it is not altogether what is laid down in Deputy Hilliard's question that caused the lay-off?
There is nothing in my question setting out the cause. The Minister has stated what he believes to be the cause.
andMr. McEllistrim asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will consider making arrangements for the institution of a ferry service on the Shannon from Kil-to Ballybunion.
There is no proposal before me for the institution of a ferry service on the Shannon from Kilrush to Ballybunionn.
At my request C.I.E. are investigating the possibility of providing river services on the middle and upper Shannon. As this investigation involves many problems I do not think that in present circumstances I should ask the board to extend their investigation to other areas.