Tairgim:—
Go ndeonófar suim nach mó ná £1,647,000 chun slánaithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31ú lá de Mhárta, 1961, le haghaidh Tuarastail agus Costais Oifig an Aire Tionscail agus Tráchtála, lena n-áirítear Seirbhísí áirithe atá faoi riaradh na hOifige sin, agus chun Ildeontais-i-gCabhair a íoc.
I Meastacháin 1959/60 rinneadh soláthar do na seirbhísí a bhí faoi riaradh na Roinne Tionscail agus Tráchtála i sé cinn de Vótaí (Uimhreacha 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 agus 66). Tar éis roinnt áirithe de na seirbhísí sin a aistriú go dtí an Roinn Iompair agus Cumhachta, b'éigean an leagan amach a athrú, agus sa bhliain reatha déantar an soláthar le haghaidh na seirbhísí atá fágtha faoin Roinn Tionscail agus Tráchtála in aon Mheastachán amháin—Uimhir 47, Tionscal agus Tráchtáil. Mar áis comparáide tá ráiteas curtha isteach ar leathanach 231 leis an Meastachán le haghaidh Tionscal agus Tráchtáil agus léirítear sa ráiteas sin na Fo-Mhírchinn do 1960/61 agus, na Vótai agus na Fo-Mhírchinn chomhréireacha do 1959/60.
I Leabhar na Meastachán, déantar glan-Mheastachán £2,471,000 a sholáthar don bhliain 1960/61 i gcomórtas le suim £2,458,263 a deonaíodh i 1959/ 60 (agus áirítear sa tsuim sin dhá Mheastachán Fhorlíontacha le haghaidh £275,010). Is ionann sin agus £12,737 i gcomparáid leis an tsuim a deonaíodh anuraidh. Ach ar an 22ú lá de Mhárta, 1960, nuair a bhí Leabhar na Meastachán foilsithe agus curtha timpeall deonaíodh suim bhreise £404,000 le Mheastachán Forlíontach, ionas go raibh £2,862,263 sa tsuim iomlán a deonaíodh le haghaidh 1959/60. Sa Mheastachán Forlíontach rinneadh £300,000 a sholáthar do Ghabháltais Chruach na hÉireann (níl aon soláthar don tseirbhís sin i 1960/ 61) agus £104,000 d'Oibreacha Innealtóireachta Dhún Dealgan. (£10 atá á sholáthar i 1960/61, faoi fho-mhircheann O.)
Mar sin, is é an chaoi ina bhfuil an scéal faoi láthair, go bhfuil an Meastachán £2,471,000 le haghaidh 1960/ 61 £391,253 a deonaíodh i 1959/60.
Is iad na príomh-nithe ar ar tháinig ardú i 1960/61 an soláthar le haghaidh Saotharlanna Breise, £20,000 (fo-mhírcheann H2); Cuartaíocht, £30,000 (fomhirchinn J1, J2 agus J3); Deontas-i-gCabhair do Chóras Tráchtála, £41,000 (fo-mhírcheann K1); Deontais faoin Acht um Dheontais Tionscail, 1959, £275,000 (fo-mhírcheann M2), agus Cabhair Theicniúil, £86,500 (fo-mhírcheann P). Tá £32,192 d'ardú ann faoi fho-mhírchinn eile i dtreo go bhfuil £484,690 d'ardú ann ar fad.
Is iad na príomh-nithe inar tharla laghdú i 1960/61 deontais faoin Acht um Limistéirí Neamhfhorbhartha 1952, £275,000 (fo-mhírcheann M1) agus £104,000 d'Oibreacha Innealtóireachta Dhún Deálgan (fo-mhírcheann O). Níl aon soláthar deanta chun Airleacain Iasachtaí Trádála (£113,000 i 1959/60) a aisíoc ná le haghaidh Gabháltais Chruach na hÉireann (£300,000 i 1959/60).
Is ionann agus £2,223 na laghduithe eile i dtreo gur £794,223 de laghdú atá ann san iomlán. Caithfear £81,732 a chur leis an tsuim sin, mar gheall ar Ardú sna Leithreasaí-i-gCabhair. Is ionann sin agus laghdú sa ghlan-deontas, rud a bheir laghdú iomlán de £875,955.
I have circulated a translation of the figures I have just given in Irish which, broadly speaking, are a comparison between the expenditure on the Vote for Industry and Commerce this year and last, due regard being had to the transfer of sections which are now administered by the Department of Transport and Power. Therefore, it is not my intention to give these figures to the House again in English, but to proceed with the rest of my opening statement.
I am glad to be able to report that industrial production has shown a marked recovery. For the year 1959, the provisional index of the volume of production (to base 1953=100) of manufacturing industries was 112.1 compared with 104.4 in 1958. For all industries and services (including building, etc.) covered by the Census of Industrial Production, the provisional volume index was 106.9 for 1959, as compared with 98.7 for 1958.
The average number of persons engaged in manufacturing industries is provisionally estimated at 146,100 in 1959 compared with 142,400 in 1958.
There has been a further reduction in the total unemployment figures as compared with recent years. At the end of April, 1960, the number on the live register was 58,880 compared with 67,120 at the end of April, 1959.
In the year ended 31st March, 1960, 86 firms came to notice as having commenced production or as having extended their range of production. Industrial proposals before the Department and the Industrial Development Authority numbered some 180 on 31st March, 1960.
During the year, An Foras Tionscal approved grants amounting to £1,054,830 for projects located in the undeveloped areas, bringing the total grants approved for such projects to £3,023,412. Of this amount, grants totalling £1,835,310 were paid to 31st March, 1960, leaving outstanding commitments of £1,188,102. The total capital investment involved in the approved projects amounts to about £7.25 million and it is expected that employment will be given to about 5,500 persons.
Fifty-two projects assisted by An Foras Tionscal are in production in the undeveloped areas and, in addition, there are eighteen other projects for which assistance has been promised and which are in varying stages of development. Among the projects which have recently gone into production and those recently approved but not yet in production are a substantial number which are related mainly to export trade.
The reduction of £275,000 in the Estimates provision for the current year should not be interpreted as an indication that the tempo of industrial development in the undeveloped areas is slowing down. Last year, owing to the exceptionally fine weather, conditions for building work were very good and it was possible to make better progress than was expected on certain projects, with the result that payments actually made in the year were higher than was originally estimated and a Supplementary Estimate of £275,000 was necessary. The Estimate provision for this year is the same as that originally provided last year.
The Industrial Grants Act which became law in August, 1959, made certain changes in the grant arrangements for projects outside the undeveloped areas and transferred responsibility for such grants from the Industrial Development Authority to An Foras Tionscal. Since August, grants amounting to £783,000 involving a total capital expenditure of £3.25 million have been approved for ten projects. Practically all these projects are related to exports and they should form a worth-while contribution to the export potential. In addition, there are 12 projects which were assisted under the Industrial Grants Act, 1956. These represent a total capital investment of £2,000,000. It is estimated that these 22 projects will provide employment for 3,200 persons.
I need refer only briefly to the Petroleum and other Minerals Development Act, 1960, which was enacted recently. Ambassador Irish Oil Limited have now been granted a licence under the Act which, when certain other requirements are fulfilled, will enable them to explore for petroleum over the whole State.
The affairs of St. Patrick's Copper Mines Ltd., Avoca, were discussed some months ago when approval was given to the raising of a further State guaranteed loan. The Company continues to employ about 500 workers.
Exploration work for copper at Allihies, Co. Cork, has been encouraging but the mine has not yet been brought to the production stage.
The first stage of the Technical Assistance project of coal exploration in the Leinster coalfield has been carried out satisfactorily and has achieved its primary purpose of obtaining exact information about the thickness of certain coal seams. The second stage of the Leinster coalfield project and the exploration of the Connacht coalfield are now under way. This scheme is financed by an E.C.A. grant from Counterpart Funds. It was undertaken in the hope that it would reveal new deposits of coal and enable our home production to be increased substantially. It is too early to say whether these hopes will be realised.
A scheme of Technical Assistance grants for private exploration of minerals in accordance with the White Paper Programme for Economic Expansion was initiated last November. Grants of up to one-half of the cost may be given where there are likely to be commercially workable deposits of minerals in an area and their development is desirable in the national interest.
The Government have approved development plans of Irish Steel Holdings Ltd., which will increase the output and efficiency of the mills and extend its range of products; and have decided that the project should be wholly financed by share capital to be subscribed by the Minister for Finance. The estimated cost of the developments is of the order of £3½ millions and the legislation necessary to enable the company to proceed with their plans for the expansion and development of the industry is in course of preparation.
It was not possible to enact the legislation before 31st March and as the company by that date had to make payments of £300,000 in respect of initial instalments to suppliers of new plant and in respect of some other items a supplementary estimate for £300,000 was passed on 22nd March, 1960, to enable payments to be made to the company in respect of shares to be taken up by the Minister for Finance. Contract documents for the supply of the plant were signed on 14th April, 1960.
Legislation was enacted during the year 1959 to provide for the revival of the grass meal project in the Bangor Erris area. The new company—Min Fhéir (1959) Teoranta—with share capital of £200,000 to be subscribed by the Minister for Finance, has been incorporated and preliminary contracts have been signed for the acquisition of the necessary acreage of land near Geesala, a total of 1,939 acres.
The past year was marked by a general round of wage increases—the seventh in the series since the end of the war. The round of wage increases gave rise to a number of industrial disputes and it is satisfying to note that workers and employers continued to recognise the value of the Labour Court for the settlement of those disputes in which private negotiation failed to find a solution. The success of the court is reflected in the fact that the wage adjustments were completed with the minimum of industrial strife.
Each year, the Labour Court makes a report to the Government and the report is laid on the Table of the House for the information of Deputies. The court has not yet presented its report for 1959, but I might, perhaps, anticipate the report by making a comment on what has become known as the seventh round of wage increases.
The most noteworthy feature of the recent wage increases was the fact that for the first time since the war the increases were not related to the consumer price index—which had in fact remained steady for the first half of 1959 and had fallen three points by mid-August—but were aimed, it was stated, at securing an improvement in the standard of living of the workers. Whether the relatively stable position of the cost of living can now be maintained is somewhat doubtful, having regard to the effect of the wage increases on production costs.
There has, it is true, been an improvement in the level of production, coupled with a certain limited expansion in the national income, and it was reasonable to expect that the workers would want to share in these improvements. It is, however, illusory to think that these increases can be completely absorbed by the economy without any effect on industrial costs and prices. The possible effect of a rise in the prices of our goods on the level of our exports and on the balance of payments situation is a matter for some concern.
If we are to protect ourselves against the adverse results of an increase in the prices of our goods and services, it is essential that we should intensify the drive for increased productivity. This problem of productivity has already been the subject of quite a lot of discussion, and I think it is now generally accepted by both employers and workers that a more efficient use of our resources could bring benefit to all sections of the community—through a greater supply of goods at lower prices, through higher real earnings, and through improvement in living standards and working conditions. The problems arising in connection with measures to increase productivity are, as I see them, mainly twofold—technical and human.
So far as technical problems are concerned, I am sure that Irish managers recognise the advantages to be obtained by making use of the most up-to-date information and advice available both here and abroad and I have every confidence in their ability to take advantage of the most modern techniques. In appropriate cases, my Department is prepared to make grants out of Technical Assistance funds towards the cost of engaging consultants or experts to advise industrial firms on problems of reorganisation, work study, and so on, with a view to increasing productive efficiency.
The human problems of productivity are, I think, much more complex and they present a very real challenge to both management and labour. One of the principal difficulties is the apprehension which may arise on the part of workers that the introduction of new machines and improved techniques may threaten the security of their jobs. These fears are in many cases quite understandable, particularly where the worker is not adequately informed about the aims and intentions of the management.
The introduction of new machines and new techniques will nearly always entail some changes in the organisation of the firm and in the pattern of work. While it may be possible, by careful planning, to avoid redundancy, the redistribution of jobs and the changes in traditional working methods are upsetting to workers and may meet with some resistance. Progressive management recognises that the way to overcome these problems is to ensure that the representatives of the workers are fully informed in advance of the purpose of the reorganisation and that they are given an opportunity of voicing their fears and apprehensions. A factor which would naturally influence the workers in their attitude towards such changes would be, of course, the extent to which they could expect to share in the benefits of any increased output.
Problems of this kind are not, of course, peculiar to this country. Indeed, they are probably the most pressing problems now engaging the attention of industrial experts in the international field. This country, through its association with the European Productivity Agency and the International Labour Organisation, is providing the means whereby both management and labour can keep in touch with the most up-to-date thinking in these matters. The Irish National Productivity Committee, which is specially concerned with these problems, will no doubt continue to act as a centralising and co-ordinating agency and I am sure that their own studies will be of great assistance and guidance to Irish employers and workers in finding solutions to the many practical problems that arise in connection with measures to attain increased productivity.
A practical and very commendable example of this was the seminar on "port productivity" which was recently held in Greystones under the auspices of the Committee, and which it is hoped will prove a considerable help towards arriving at a satisfactory settlement of the problems which have held up the introduction of more productive methods of working at Dublin port.
As indicated in the White Paper, Programme for Economic Expansion, the Technical Assistance arrangements, under which grants are made out of State funds towards the cost of schemes designed to improve industrial efficiency, are being continued. The estimate—Subhead P—contains an appropriate provision.
Reports received indicate that industrial firms which have availed themselves of expert advice in overhauling their productive organisation have in general found the results highly satisfactory. Grants towards the cost of such schemes are made on the basis of one-third of the cost.
Enough time has now elapsed for the effects of Government policy on economic expansion, as outlined in the White Paper, to begin to be felt. Various measures designed to encourage and aid private enterprise to develop and expand production have been enacted. The considerable increase in the volume of production of manufacturing industries during the year, and a 40% increase in exports of manufactured goods over the 1958 figure, provide heartening evidence that our industries are responding to the challenge of our times. It is to be hoped that they will redouble their efforts and that the expansion which is now under way will generate the confidence from which will spring further and bigger extensions in the volume and range of production.
Our future economic prosperity depends in very large measure on the extent to which we can expand and develop export production. Indeed, the needs of our economic situation demand that every firm here, large or small, should seek export outlets for its products. All firms should strive towards achieving the highest possible level of efficiency so as to compete successfully in markets abroad. It is heartening to record that a significant number of our industries are exporting their products on an increasing scale. The example of those progressive firms should provide a stimulus to many other concerns that have not so far seriously investigated the export possibilities in their sphere of activity. The reward is there to be won but it requires energy and effort.
In the British market, our goods have special advantages, the continuance of which is assured under the Trade Agreement signed on 13th April last. These advantages derive from the free entry which the Trade Agreements guarantee for the vast bulk of our exports to Britain.
This right of free entry to Britain will be gradually acquired over the next ten years by Brtain's partners in E.F.T.A., or in any wider European trade group that may emerge from the various discussions which have been proceeding in Europe over the past few years. Irish manufacturers are therefore put on notice that the advantage which they have over their European competitors in the British market will be progressively reduced and will be entirely removed by 1970 at the latest.
There is no reason why we should be intimidated by the prospect of greater competition in the British market. The record of the success in that market of a number of our exporters in the face of strong internal competition gives every ground for confidence in the ability of our industries generally to face the challenge of the future.
The situation demands that our manufacturers should lose no time in developing exports to Britain. Valuable facilities are available to them; they can call on the services of Córas Tráchtála, they have the advantage of proximity to the market, close commercial, banking and the many other associations which go to make up the special trade relationship affirmed in the recent Agreement. I trust that these favourable conditions will be availed of in good time. The potentialities of the British market for our industrial goods and processed foodstuffs are enormous. Our exports of these goods to Britain have been rising, but Deputies will have seen a recent statement by the General Manager of Córas Tráchtála that we have hardly begun to scratch the surface of that market.
There are indications that associations representative of manufacturers and exporters are fully alive to the situation. There are encouraging trends in the export statistics. I am confident that Irish industry will make the effort necessary to build up exports to Britain while the favourable conditions exist. Success in the British market will give them the training, the experience and economic strength to develop the potentialities of other markets as well.
Deputies are, no doubt, already aware of the efforts which have been made through the Industrial Development Authority to secure foreign industrial investment in this country. The Authority have pursued their campaign to achieve this purpose by visits to Continental countries and the U.S.A., by the appointment of representatives in Europe and the U.S.A. by the publication and distribution of attractive brochures and through advertising campaigns. I am happy to say that their efforts have been increasingly successful.
During 1959 some 13 factories in which there was foreign participation commenced production and about 20 other factories are either in course of construction or planned. These factories are located in various parts of the country and, in many cases, they will not only provide much-needed local employment but will assist in our balance of international payments position through exports. Indeed a notable feature of recent development has been the extent to which new factories are primarily oriented to export markets.
The achievement in 1959 was better than in 1958 and there is at present every indication that the results in 1960 will outstrip those of 1959. The recent announcement of two major projects for Galway, one for the manufacture of oil heaters by a large French company and the second for mechanical handling equipment promoted by a German concern are particularly welcome.
The Authority, through their representative in the United States, have continued the campaign directed to American industrialists. This campaign has resulted in the setting up of seven factories by American interests here while a further four factories are under construction. Discussions are proceeding with some 40 other American concerns and the prospects of establishing further industries as a result of these discussions are promising. The announcement a few day ago of a major project in the electronics field for Shannon Free Airport by an important American concern will, it is hoped, increase the interest of other large American corporations in the country as a whole. An advertising campaign conducted in a selected number of United States newspapers and periodicals continued during the year and a programme of advertising for the coming year has also been arranged.
The Authority appointed a travelling European representative during the past year and while he has visited other countries, his efforts have mainly been directed to Germany whose industrialists are showing a keen interest in this country as a base for industrial expansion. An advertising campaign in the German Press links general advertising with local advertising to coincide with the representative's visit to the various cities in Germany.
There are strong indications of growing interest in other European countries and in Great Britain in industrial possibilities in Ireland. In order to take full advantage of this situation the appointment of two additional travelling representatives, one for Great Britain and a second to share the work of the present representative in Europe, is being considered.
In co-operation with the Shannon Free Airport Development Company who have a particular interest in attracting suitable industries to Shannon, the Authority set up an information Centre in Birmingham, for about ten days early this month. The Centre was opened by the Irish Ambassador in the presence of local businessmen and representatives of the Press. The inquiries received were such that it was decided to retain the representative of the Authority in Birmingham for a further period. The growing interest of British industrialists in the possibilities of expansion in this country is evidenced by the publication of a special supplement on this country by an influential British financial newspaper.
The results so far achieved in attracting foreign investment have been very satisfactory but what is most heartening is the evidence of an upward trend which seems likely to continue for some time to come. It would seem that the sustained and widespread publicity abroad is bearing fruit in increasing measure. Deputies may be interested to know that investment in Irish factories has flowed from a very wide variety of countries, including Great Britain, Germany, the U.S.A., Canada, the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Italy, and Switzerland.
As Deputies are already aware, I have arranged for the widespread issue through the post of a series of leaflets urging the public to "Buy Irish." The first of these was issued to approximately 600,000 addresses in the course of the week commencing on 30th November, 1959.
I realise how little might be achieved by an occasional official exhortation of this sort, if it were not supported by the various bodies and organisations that are in a position to influence public opinion. The Government can give the necessary encourgement and stress the importance of this matter from the national point of view, but the success of their efforts depends on the co-operation of all the citizens. For this reason, I am glad to be able to say that many voluntary organisations, the Press, business associations, firms and individuals throughout the country have expressed their warm support for the idea behind the campaign.
Another leaflet is now being issued, and I hope and trust that all organisations, all business interests, all leaders of public opinion and all citizens will play their part in making a practical and effective contribution to the success of the "Buy Irish" drive. I take this opportunity of expressing my deep appreciation of the support already given by the public press and by numerous organisations and public bodies throughout the whole country.
As a result of negotiations which took place during 1959 with the British and Commonwealth life insurance offices, and agreement was reached under which these offices undertook to increase substantially the proportion of their funds attributable to Irish business which is invested in this country. It is intended that they should achieve collectively, over a period of 10 years, a total investment of 66? per cent. of the funds they hold to cover their liabilities to Irish policyholders. This will mean a doubling of the present total investment and is estimated to secure new investment of the order of £2 million a year.
Exports in 1959 came to £130.7 million which was remarkably little short of the 1958 figure, considering the reduction in exports of cattle, butter and bacon. Substantial increases in exports of beef, ores and metals, machinery and electrical goods, vehicles, textiles, clothing and footwear, petroleum products, leather and other items combined to counteract the very considerable reductions I have mentioned.
The increase in the adverse trade balance on visible items over that of 1958 was brought about almost entirely by an increase in imports, the decline in total exports being relatively small, as I have said. The consequences of the bad harvest of 1958 continued to make imports of abnormal quantities of grain necessary and increased imports of machinery, petroleum, cocoa and other commodities were also contributing factors in the increase in total imports.
Questions have been asked from time to time about sugar and in particular about the situation arising from the limitation of beet contracts by Comhluch Siúicre Éireann Teo. Broadly, the position is that we can now produce more sugar than we need and the question of securing a profitable outlet for an exportable surplus arises. The matter is engaging my attention and when I am in a position to make a statement in regard to it I shall do so. Meanwhile, the House may be assured that all appropriate means will be used to secure as good a market as possible for Irish sugar and for goods in which it is used as an ingredient.
Córas Tráchtála has now been given statutory permanence and provision is made for a further extension of the Board's activities in accordance with the Government's policy of intensifying export promotion activity. The work of the organisation was discussed by the Dáil in July last when the Export Promotion Bill was under consideration. In addition to the activities which I mentioned during that debate, the subhead in this year's Estimate includes provision for Technical Assistance Grants to exporters for export market research, design for export, and packaging for export.
The Oireachtas recently enacted the Apprenticeship Act, 1959, the ultimate object of which is to raise the level of skill of Irish workers. This Act provided for the establishment of the new central apprenticeship authority—An Cheard Chomhairle—comprising representatives of employers, workers and educational interests, under a chairman who is also the Director of Apprenticeship.
It is scarcely necessary for me to stress how important it is for our young workers that they should have every opportunity of attaining a high degree of proficiency in their selected trades. It is only by attaining such proficiency, that they will be able to contribute adequately to our economic expansion and to command a sufficient level of income to enable them to live and work in Ireland with a reasonable standard of comfort.
It is equally important for the nation that our workers should be well trained. The continued expansion of our economy is dependent to a great extent on our ability to increase our exports. The quality of our products, and the manner in which they are offered for sale are important factors in finding export markets and we will not be able to compete with other countries in this field unless our workers are at least as proficient as theirs.
The legislation under which An Chomhairle was established was considered at some length, before its enactment, by a committee representing employers and workers. It also had the support of all Parties in the Oireachtas. While it would be unwise to expect any immediate or spectacular results, I am hopeful that the cooperative attitude shown by all concerned towards this new legislation and towards the establishment of An Chomhairle will enable that body to make a significant contribution to the national welfare.
Legislation to amend the Industrial Research and Standards Acts is at present being prepared. It will, among other things, provide for an increase in the statutory maximum grant to the Institute to meet increased costs arising from the provision of three new laboratories which are nearing completion, and the opportunity is being taken to provide for the revision of certain features of the organisation of the Institute.
The new legislation which was enacted at the end of 1959 in relation to restrictive trade practices is designed to aid the Fair Trade Commission in their investigation of such practices and will, it is hoped, assist greatly in the elimination of those practices which are found to be harmful to the public interest. Deputies have had ample opportunity to discuss the various aspects of this legislation during its passage through the House and it is not necessary for me to devote any more time to the matter to-day.
The coming year should be one of significant progress for the tourist industry. In Ireland, as in other European countries, shortage of hotel accommodation has threatened to become the chief barrier to the development of tourist traffic and, in recognition of that fact, the Government decided at the beginning of this year to introduce certain additional incentives for the extension and improvement of hotel accommodation.
A new scheme of grants for the improvement, as distinct from the expansion, of existing hotels has been brought into operation by Bord Fáilte Éireann, under which grants amounting to 20 per cent. of the total cost will be available for such works as the installation of hot and cold water, central heating, adaptation of existing bedrooms as bed/bath units, provision of additional bathroom and toilet accommodation, and the carrying out of structural alterations.
In addition to these new grants, provision has been made in this year's Finance Bill for an annual depreciation allowance of 10 per cent. in respect of capital expenditure incurred on the construction of new hotel buildings and the extension of existing buildings. The new allowance will operate from the commencement of the present financial year and will apply to expenditure incurred on or after the 1st January, 1960.
The initial reaction of the industry has been such that there is every reason to hope that the new incentives will achieve the desired effect and that within the next two or three years there will be a substantial addition to the volume of top grade accommodation as well as a considerable improvement in the standard of accommodation in our hotels generally. These developments should enable us to increase our share of the growing tourist market.
The scheme of grants for development of major tourist resorts is now under way and considerable progress is expected to be made during the coming twelve months. A sum of £85,000 is being provided for the purpose in this period. As there will, naturally, be a great deal of preliminary consultation and planning to be carried out by the local interests concerned, peak expenditure under the scheme will not be reached for another year or so. The grants, which are administered by Bord Fáilte, relate to works forming part of a co-ordinated plan of development substantially financed by a local development group or local authority.
In the field of company law revision, following on the report of the Company Law Reform Committee, substantial progress has been made with the examination of the Committee's recommendations and of the other points which arise for decision in this field. I am not yet in a position to say when it will be possible for me to introduce amending legislation, but the preparation of a Bill is being pressed forward as rapidly as possible.
A departmental review of the law of copyright, which is contained in the Industrial and Commercial Property (Protection) Acts 1927 and 1958, has been proceeding over the past year. Observations on the matter have been received from a number of organised bodies and have been considered. Consultation with other Departments concerned is now proceeding so that the final proposals can be considered by the Government.
Amendments to the laws relating to patents and trade marks, contained in the same Acts, are also required to meet certain changes in the international convention on these matters to which the country is a party, and also to keep in line with the international trend in these subjects. I hope to make arrangements soon for this work to be put in hands so that the necessary amendments to the law may be determined.
