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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 May 1961

Vol. 189 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Closing of Dublin Factories.

27.

Mr. Ryan

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the public concern at the closure of two food manufacturing factories in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter, particularly in view of the increased unemployment caused by the failure to obtain export markets for the products of the factories in question.

I am deeply concerned about the closing down of the two factories in question. The Deputy will appreciate, however, that I am precluded from making a public statement relating to the affairs of private commercial firms. I understand that a substantial number of the displaced workers are being absorbed by other Dublin firms.

Will the Minister say how he is precluded in this instance from making a public statement on the affairs of a private company when he has spent the last five minutes making a statement on the affairs of what he alleges are private companies?

In the last five minutes I have been trying to expose the hypocrisy of the two Deputies.

Is it not a fact that one of the companies mentioned in Deputy Ryan's question was directed or requested by its parent body in England to increase its output, and if it had reached a certain percentage in three months the firm would not have been forced to close down? However, when it did not reach that output, it was closed down without further warning. Is it not a fact that similar treatment may be meted out to other companies here controlled by parent companies outside the State?

I know the reasons why these firms closed down and they do not coincide with what the Deputy has said.

Of course, they do. The Minister knows perfectly well the decision was taken outside the country.

As most of them are. If it is not in Japan, it is in Sweden or some place else. It is never in Dublin. It is just like the House of Commons going to decide when we go into the Common Market——

You have as much power as Stormont has.

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