asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has seen a statement to the effect that the Du Pont Company, Limited, has secured a site of 381 acres near Derry for a prospective neoprene synthetic rubber plant; and, if so, if he will state whether any efforts were made to secure this factory for the Twenty-Six Counties, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers (resumed). - Derry Neoprene Synthetic Rubber Plant.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement on the decision of the Du Pont Corporation, Wilmington, Delaware, to locate their new factory for the manufacture of neoprene in County Derry instead of in County Donegal.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether in the course of his mission to the United States he called on the heads of the Du Pont Corporation in Delaware and put before them the advantages of establishing in the State an undertaking to manufacture neoprene.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether during his recent tour in the United States he visited Wilmington, Delaware, and interviewed the president and other officers of the Du Pont Corporation; whether he broached the question of the advisability of locating in the Twenty-Six Counties the corporation's European works for the manufacture of neoprene; and what objections, if any, the management-expressed to such proposal.
With the Ceann Comhairle's permission I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 19, 20 and 21 together.
I have seen the published statement that the Du Pont Company Ltd. proposes to establish a neoprene industry in Derry. During my visit to the United States in January last I met officers of this company, and the official delegation which subsequently visited the United States on my behalf also had discussions with representatives of the company. During these discussions the advantages in locating an industry here were explained fully. As the company had not at that time disclosed their intention of establishing a neoprene factory in Europe, the discussions were not related to this specific project.
Why not?
Would the Minister state whether it is a fact that since the return to this country of the delegation sent out by him as Minister for Industry and Commerce certain further queries were, in fact, put to the Minister by the Du Pont Company—is that correct?
The Deputy is drawing heavily on his imagination now.
They did not bother?
Are we to take it from the Minister's reply that since the return of that delegation no further correspondence has been entered into between the company and the Department in this connection?
That has nothing whatever to do with the question on the Order Paper. If the Deputy wants any information on a matter unrelated to the question on the Order Paper he should put down another question on the matter.
It has everything to do with the question on the Order Paper.
If there was no question of locating any branch of this industry in Europe, how did it come about that the Tánaiste made representations to the corporation concerned in the way which has been suggested?
You want it both ways now.
A number of matters were discussed with the corporation but the corporation at that time gave no indication that they were even contemplating the establishment outside the United States of a factory for the manufacture of neoprene.
In view of the fact——
Question No. 22.
Did the Minister make representations——
I have called Question No. 22.
In view of the absence of any reply to any of the questions I wish to have the matter raised on the Adjournment.
Question No. 22.