asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any proposals have been made for the provision of employment in the Carrickmacross alcohol factory, and, if so, if he will state what they are.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Carrickmacross Alcohol Factory.
The question of the utilisation of the Carrickmacross industrial alcohol distillery is having constant attention but, so far, efforts to have the factory put to alternative use have not been successful.
Is it true that parts of the machinery are being removed for use in other alcohol factories and, if that is true, would that prejudice the prospects of this factory being used for the production of alcohol?
I am not aware that any part of the machinery has been removed. The effort up to the present has been to get the factory utilised as a distillery. This effort has not been successful and I think I should consider further whether more success may not be achieved by making the factory suitable for any industry rather than confining efforts to establishing one particular type of industry.
Am I correct in believing that investigations are proceeding on two lines, namely (1) to get a new distillery and (2) to get the factory used for some other purpose which would provide employment? May I assume from the Minister's reply that, if there is any removal of machinery which would prejudice the prospects of the re-utilisation of this factory, it will be stopped and, secondly, if machinery is removed, that there will be some other scheme designed to provide employment in this factory which will not be affected by the removal of machinery?
The position is that there is a factory premises there available for renting by any firm, which requires it, for any industrial purpose. As I said, up to the present my efforts have been directed towards getting that factory premises utilised as a distillery.
And it was the Minister's predecessor's?
No doubt. The question in my mind is whether it is wise to pursue efforts on that line or whether it may not be better to cease thinking of the premises as a distillery and think of them mainly as a possible base for any industry. If, of course, some other industry was established there, then the removal of machinery utilisable for distilling purposes would be involved.
Quite. But the Minister will see that nothing is done which would render impossible the prospects of this building being used as a distillery until some final decision is taken?
Quite.