asked the Taoiseach whether, in view of the disclosures contained in the most recent Central Statistics Office publication on employment and unemployment that there has been no new significant increase in non-agricultural employment and a further decrease of 9,000 in the numbers employed in agriculture, he will take immediate steps to establish State-owned and operated industries in all these sections of the economy not already operated by the State and hitherto the responsibility of private enterprise.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State-Owned Industries.
3.
The publication referred to in the Deputy's Question appears to be that on the Trend of Employment in 1959, and the summary statement mentioned by him relates to the year ended April, 1959, and is, therefore, more than a year and a half out of date. The Deputy must be aware that much more recent information has appeared in that publication and elsewhere.
For example, the number of persons engaged in transportable goods industries rose by 4,800 from June, 1958, to June, 1959, and by a further 3,100 from June, 1959, to June, 1960. This is one indication of the economic growth which is proceeding. Others are: that the quarterly index of the volume of output in manufacturing industries has substantially exceeded the corresponding figure for the previous year in every quarter since June, 1959; that, in mining, quarrying and turf, output was 50 per cent. greater in the June quarter of 1960 than in the corresponding quarter of 1958, though slightly less than in 1959; that there is evidence of a rise in building and constructional activity; and that the total number on the Live Register was over 10,000, or about 20 per cent., less on the 22nd October, 1960, than on the corresponding date a year ago.
Because they have gone to Birmingham.
I would remind the Deputy that one of the Directive Principles of Social Policy in the Constitution is that "The State shall favour and, where necessary, supplement private initiative in industry and commerce". The Government's Programme for Economic Expansion is, accordingly, based on the principle that the private sector will continue to be the principal source of new productive projects.
Is the Taoiseach aware, or did he forget to mention, that 1,000 men had been sacked from C.I.E. in the last 12 months?
I am not aware of that.
I do not think the Taoiseach is aware anything has happened.
Your man is living up in the skies.