asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware of the allegations made against his Department and An Foras Tionscal that persons interested in promoting industries in West Cork have been influenced to transfer their interests elsewhere; and, if so, if he will make a detailed statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Promotion of Industries in West Cork.
5.
No allegations of the nature referred to by the Deputy have been reported to me, and, if any such allegations have been made, they are entirely without foundation.
Surely the Minister is not so naïve as to assert that no such allegations have been made? Has the Minister not read allegations published in newspapers some time ago —during the last few months?
The Deputy is making a statement. He is not asking a question.
Is the Minister not aware that statements have been made by prominent people that West Cork is virtually boycotted by the Department and An Foras Tionscal, so far as industrial development is concerned? Were not these statements made by prominent people in the public Press?
No allegations of that precise nature have been brought to my notice and, if they were made, they were entirely without foundation. It is obviously highly undesirable, from the point of view of West Cork, that they should be given publicity.
Has it not been alleged, and is the Minister not aware that it was alleged by prominent people who proposed industrial development in West Cork, that they were asked by An Foras Tionscal or officers of his Department to transfer their interests elsewhere, and that if they did so they would get a more favourable response?
I say quite specifically that never happened.
The Minister says it never happened——
Question No. 6.
I am entitled to ask relevant supplementary questions.
The Chair is the authority and has allowed a number of supplementary questions. The Deputy got a fair hearing.
On what ground does the Chair rule me from asking supplementary questions?
Question No. 6.