asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce, whether he has received a report that an American industrialist who planned to transfer a million dollars worth of machinery here to start an industry was shown such a lack of courtesy at his Department that he took the first plane home; whether he has investigated the matter, and if he will make a statement thereon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Treatment of American Industrialist.
I presume the Deputy is referring to a recent newspaper report. I am satisfied that the allegations contained in the report are without foundation. The interview in respect of which the allegations were made took place in the offices of the Industrial Development Authority and was conducted in a normal manner; and at no time did the parties concerned express any dissatisfaction with the way in which they had been received. In the course of the meeting the visitors were informed that their proposal was found to be interesting. They were informed of the intended visit of a delegation to the U.S.A. and a meeting with the American promoters was suggested, so as to save them any inconvenience. The visitors left the meeting on the understanding that a questionnaire would be prepared and sent to them in relation to the project and that a meeting would be arranged to take place in the U.S.A.; the questionnaire was subsequently sent to the promoters and arrangements for the meeting initiated. The meeting was held at an early hour as one of the persons concerned had previously indicated his intention to leave the country by air the same afternoon.
Will the Minister say if his Department has contacted the people referred to in his report to find out if the other side of the story is the same as that given by his Department? Is he further aware that the people concerned are coming into the country independent of the Industrial Development Authority now because of the lack of co-operation they received when they visited the Industrial Development Authority?
Is it not a fact that the officials in the Department of Industry and Commerce receive all persons in a courteous manner and go out of their way to facilitate people to establish industries here? It is not a fact to say they do not.
I did not catch the second part of the Deputy's question.
Is it not a fact that officials of the Department of Industry and Commerce receive everybody in a courteous manner and that they are painstaking in regard to the manner in which they receive foreigners and others interested in establishing industries here? It is not a fact to say, as has been alleged, that they do not.
My experience of the officials of the Department of Industry and Commerce is that not only do they receive those interested in the establishment or extension of industries but they go out of their way, display every courtesy and take all possible pains to render all the facilities and assistance they can. In this particular case the persons were received, not by officials of the Department of Industry and Commerce; they were received by the officials of the Industrial Development Authority. I have before me here a report of the interview which was made immediately after the interview had taken place and before this paragraph appeared in the newspaper. I have given the Deputy a reply based upon the report which was made at that time and on information which I have subsequently received, and I want to underline what I say in my reply to the Deputy by pointing out that I am informed that at no time during the discussion was it alleged that any discourtesy was shown by any officer of the Industrial Development Authority towards the persons who were being interviewed. I have testimony from many persons of how helpful the Industrial Development Authority are to persons who approach them for advice and information.
Is the Minister not aware that the officials of the Industrial Development Authority and of the Department of Industry and Commerce were very seldom disturbed by Deputy Hilliard in his time? And is he not also aware that the complaint was made that the official referred to suggested to the American industrialist that he was coming in here because he was being run out of America by big business and his machinery was being scrapped? Has he done anything to investigate that?
Would the Minister tell the Deputy how often I have been in there and the steps I wore out?
The Deputy did not do much good.
I suggest this battle should be fought out in Meath.
You are caught out.
Would the Minister inform the House as to what type of project this particular firm is interested in?
That is a separate question.
It is a separate question, but it was on the subject of a paper processing operation.