asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) whether inspections were made in Kinsale, County Cork, with a view to establishing a factory constructing heavy machinery, (b) in what respects Kinsale was considered an unsuitable site for such factory, and (c) whether his Department or the Industrial Development Authority were informed of the various reasons for such unsuitability, and, if so, what steps were taken to overcome the difficulties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Proposed Kinsale Factory.
I take it that the question relates to inspections carried out by the representatives of a private firm which is interested in the promotion of the industry mentioned.
I understand that visits were made to a number of towns, including Kinsale. The selection of the most suitable site for a factory is the responsibility of the promoters and I could not attempt to assess the various factors which might influence their decision.
May I ask the Minister did the people concerned make certain inquiries in relation to the establishment of an industry in Kinsale and did the Minister, through his Department and the Industrial Development Authority, give a correct answer to those inquiries?
The Deputy can be quite certain that correct answers are always given to all inquiries.
I am not, and that is the difficulty.
Personally, I should have been very happy if this firm had chosen Kinsale, but I could not attempt to pass any personal judgment upon the considerations which influenced their decision.
Did, or did not, the Minister and his Department correct wrong statements expressed in relation to the labour content available in Kinsale?
I do not think that was a factor in the decision at all.
I do, and I think the Minister knows it was.