asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce from what areas or counties the 220 logs of ash, oak and sycamore were exported for testing their suitability for the production of veneers; what firm obtained the licence to export them, and the names of the directors of this firm; if there is any reason why so many logs were exported for the experiment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers (resumed). - Export of Logs: Production of Veneers.
I have no information as to the counties or areas from which the logs in question were obtained. The quantity of logs licensed for export was in accordance with the recommendation of the Industrial Development Authority. With regard to the other parts of the question, I would remind the Deputy that it is not the practice to publish information which would identify the sponsors of new industrial proposals.
Would the Minister say if the 220 logs included 80 logs for which a previous licence was issued prior to the 1st April, 1956? Will he also answer the latter portion of the question: is there any reason why so many logs were exported for this experiment? It appears that the value of the logs exported was up to £4,000 and people engaged in the business seem to think that was an abnormal amount. Would the Minister further say if the Industrial Development Authority consulted with the Irish timber merchants before the licence was issued?
This export was permitted on the specific recommendation of the Industrial Development Authority which has been charged, not merely by this Government but by the previous Government, with endeavouring to establish a mill here for the production of veneers from Irish timber. The Industrial Development Authority felt that it was desirable to grant this permit so as to gain experience in the use of certain Irish timber in the manufacture of veneers. The total quantity involved would not, of course, keep a veneer factory going for one day and the quantity is relatively small in that context. All I can tell the Deputy is that when the matter had been thoroughly examined by the Industrial Development Authority, a recommendation was accepted by the Department of Industry and Commerce purely on advice of the body which, having surveyed the whole potentiality of establishing a veneer mill here, felt this was a worthwhile permit to grant.
Major de Valera
Could the Minister state, or would he not simply name the licensee, the person or firm to whom the licence was granted? Will he state the identity of the person or body to whom the licence was granted?
I think I would have to refer the Deputy in that connection to Section 4 (ii) of the Industrial Development Authority Act, 1950, which provides that no member shall disclose any information obtained by him in the exercise of his functions under this Act as to the private affairs of any person or business except in the course of a report of the Authority to the Minister.
Major de Valera
Is not the granting of a licence by the Minister's Department a very serious public act which is a proper matter to discuss in answer to a parliamentary question?
I have given all the information that I have on this matter. Does the Deputy want me to answer or does he want to keep asking questions?
The Minister did not say——
Put up the stooge now.
——whether the 220 logs included the 20 provided for in the previous licence. I would like to know if the previous licence was issued to the same firm and will the Minister say in relation to the persons or firm to whom this licence was issued, are they people who are in business for any length of time or are they not?
So far as I understand, the I.D.A. discussed with the firm to which the licence was issued, the question of establishing a veneer mill here. The firm reported to the I.D.A. that they, in turn, were in consultation with a group which had experience in the manufacture of veneer and the question at issue was: would Irish timber be suitable for conversion into veneer. The I.D.A., having discussed that with the firm, recommended to the Department of Industry and Commerce that the licence should be granted and it was on the recommendation of the I.D.A. that the licence was granted so as to try out the question which was then at issue.
Major de Valera
If the Tánaiste will not answer the question which is asked simply to discover to whom the Minister has given a licence, which is a very valuable thing, as it is very necessary in the public interest that the information should be available to the public, I would like, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to raise that specific question on the Adjournment.
I shall communicate with the Deputy later.
Major de Valera
It is a matter of public importance in regard to the principle involved.
On a point of order——
What is the point of order?
Is it in order for a member on the Government side of the House to refer to a member on this side of the House as a "stooge" in the manner that Deputy Tully referred to Deputy Hilliard? Will the Ceann Comhairle please ask him to withdraw it?
I did not hear the statement.
I did not hear him say that.
"Stooge" is an unparliamentary term and should not be used. That is all I can say at the moment.