asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will take such steps as are necessary to secure that where state assistance, whether by way of loan, grant or guarantee, is given to a firm, priority in employment will be given to Irish nationals where they are capable of filling the positions concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Assisted Firms: Employment of Irish Nationals.
2.
Under existing arrangements, an alien, other than a subject or citizen of Britain or the British Commonwealth, may be employed only if his employment is authorised by an employment permit granted by the Minister for Industry and Commerce. Before such a permit is granted, the availability of suitable Irish nationals is, of course, considered. These arrangements are regarded as adequate.
A main objective of industrial policy is to increase employment opportunities for Irish nationals. The Deputy will appreciate, however, that there must be reasonable provision for the employment of some non-nationals where the promoters of industrial projects regard their employment as essential to the success of the industry.
Am I to take it from the Minister's reply that it is Government policy that one of the fundamental justifications for State aid to Irish industry is the consideration of increased opportunity for employment of our own people at home? If so, can he explain why in some cases preference is given to non-nationals? They may not be regarded as aliens because they are British citizens, but preference is given to non-nationals as against nationals in certain of our Irish industries which have received substantial State aid.
I think the Deputy will appreciate that I could not answer a very general question of that kind.
Is the Minister not aware from the Industrial Credit Company that a firm of carpet manufacturers in the City of Cork do not appear to be conversant with or enthusiastic about the principles outlined by the Minister, and that, in a recent case, they have supplanted an Irish national by a "wide boy" who is a friend of one of the directors concerned? Will the Minister undertake to investigate the position if I lay the facts before him?
I do not think I should comment on the affairs of a particular company.
I am not attempting to comment on the affairs of a particular company. I am simply asking the Minister to state clearly that, as far as he is concerned, the policy of the Government is that where an industry receives substantial State aid, preference should be given to Irish nationals in the matter of employment where they are competent to fill the posts concerned. Can the Minister comment on that?
The whole purpose of our industrial policy is to provide increased opportunities of employment for Irish nationals. That objective cannot be attained unless these industries are successful. The arrangements necessary to ensure their success in the case of a private concern rest with their managements.
This is now becoming an argument and not a question.
Can the Minister say if, in the case of an industry securing substantial State aid, there is a condition attaching to that aid whereby they employ Irish nationals where they are competent to carry out a job?
So far as the Deputy is referring to State grants, there are no conditions of any kind attaching to these grants and no process by which conditions can be enforced. The essential feature is that they are without strings.
Surely, if the policy of the Government in a case where substantial State aid——
I am calling the next question. The Deputy will please resume his seat.
I think, Sir——
The Deputy will resume his seat.
I have not elicited the information I am entitled to seek under the Standing Orders of this House.
I am the authority as to the number of supplementary questions which may be asked. I am ruling that no further supplementary questions may be asked on this matter now.
Might I submit——
The Deputy will not discuss my ruling in this manner.
I am submitting that I have not yet elicited the information I seek on this matter.
That is not my function. My function is to see when sufficient supplementary questions have been asked. I am ruling that a sufficient number of supplementary questions have been asked in this case.
With respect, Sir, I contend——
The Deputy will resume his seat.
On a point of order, may I take it that the Minister has made it clear that there is no condition attaching to this?
That is not my function at all. My function is to decide the number of supplementary questions that may be put on a question.
With respect, I submit that I have not been afforded an opportunity of getting the information I seek.
The necessary information——
With your permission, Sir, I propose to raise the subject matter of this question on the Adjournment.
Raise it on the debate on the Estimate.
No; I shall raise it on the Adjournment.