asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, relative to the Taoiseach's statement in the Dáil on 5th July that it is the policy of the Government to give every assistance to secondary industries in getting themselves reorganised so that their survival may be possible in the event of this country becoming a member of E.E.C., he will state the type of assistance which will be made available to such industries.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Secondary Industries.
22.
The form of assistance, if any is found necessary, will be determined when the needs of industry are established.
Arising out of the Minister's unsatisfactory reply, could he say if the assistance which the Taoiseach had in mind will be made available to industries engaged in the export trade or to those working for the home market?
I do not know that it will be possible to distinguish at this stage between the types of industries that will be entitled to assistance but whatever type of assistance is required can only be established after the review has taken place by the Committee on Industrial Organisation. I think it would be premature at this stage to try to differentiate-between the types of industry or to state what type of assistance will be provided.
Is it a fact that the only type of assistance that would be of any value to these organisations would be either tariff protection or some form of subsidy?
Even at the present time we have a system of technical assistance by which grants are made available to companies to reorganise their business in accordance with expert advice by authorised consultants. Future assistance may take that shape.
In case what has been said may conjure up the idea of substantial financial assistance, may I ask the Minister whether the assistance so far contemplated is in the form of technical assistance and perhaps financial assistance for the purpose of purchasing new and better equipment so that the industries may be able to compete on better terms?
It would be premature for me to try to anticipate what form of assistance the Committee on Industrial Organisation, as advised by the various working parties, will suggest. When the Committee has made its recommendations, the Government will then consider what form the assistance will take.
May I ask a further question because I think there is a good deal of misunderstanding about this matter? As the Minister will recall, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance in recent speeches have indicated that industrialists in this country should put their house in order in preparation for the forthcoming Common Market situation. They referred to rationalisation, integration and specialisation and indicated in that context that the Government would be prepared to assist them. Does the Minister now suggest that no assistance will be forthcoming unless and until some commission has decided it is necessary?
The very purpose of setting up the Committee on Industrial Organisation is to decide what, if any, assistance will be required. As I have said, it would be premature for me to indicate what form that assistance will take, but it is clear, since that Committee has been set up, whatever form of assistance is found necessary will be provided.