asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of new industries established with State aid in that part of the country outside the underdeveloped areas and the amount of financial aid given in the three years ended 31st March, 1960.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industries Established with State Aid.
31.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Question 31 and Question 32 together.
As regards the first part of the Deputy's Questions, I would refer the Deputy to the reply given to a similar question by him on 31st May, 1960.
The amount of grants paid in respect of industries located in the undeveloped areas and elsewhere in the country during the years ended 31st March, 1958, and 31st March, 1959, are shown in the annual reports of An Foras Tionscal and the Industrial Development Authority which, in accordance with statutory requirements, were laid before the House. As from 26th August, 1959, responsibility for grants for undertakings located outside the undeveloped areas was transferred under the Industrial Grants Act, 1959, from the Industrial Development Authority to An Foras Tionscal. Grant payments during the year ended 31st March, 1960, in respect of projects located outside the undeveloped areas areas and inside the undeveloped areas will be shown in the annual report of Foras Tionscal which will be available shortly.
The Industrial Credit Company which is a State-sponsored body includes in its functions the providing of loan finance for industry. In accordance with the normal commercial practice, the Industrial Credit Company do not disclose details of loan arrangements made between them and individual industrial promoters.
Does the Minister agree that that sort of information should be withheld from members of the House?
There is no question of withholding information. The information in respect of the first two years is given very fully in reports already available to the Deputy. In respect of the last year for which he asked the information, it will be available very shortly in the new report.
What is the objection to having it included in the reply to the Parliamentary Question?
It is a matter of practice. In many cases the report might affect industries in connection with which negotiations might still be proceeding and it is not desirable in the interests of establishing these industries that there should be any disclosure of details.