asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce how many applications have been made to him for a manufacturing licence in Enniscorthy, County Wexford in the past two years.
55.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Wexford Manufacturing Licences.
54.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce how many applications for manufacturing licences have been made to him for County Wexford in the past two years; and if he will state the date of such applications, the number granted and the number refused, and the average time taken to give a decision in all cases.
I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 54 and 55 together.
Three applications for new manufacture licences in relation to County Wexford, including one for Enniscorthy, were received during the past two years. All three have been approved and in two of the cases the licences have been issued. The issue of a licence in the third case awaits the receipt of a formal application. While information regarding the individual cases is confidential, I can say that the average time that elapsed between the date of the initial approach by the promoter and the date on which my approval in principle to the grant of a licence was conveyed was about two months.
Could the Minister indicate how many of those were on behalf of Enniscorthy?
I said in my reply that one was for Enniscorthy. The Deputy must not have been listening.
It is rather difficult to hear. Can the Minister further tell me what was the period of delay in the issue of the licence for Enniscorthy?
I have not got the exact period in that case but I can assure the Deputy it was scarcely a matter of days. It was a very quick decision, conveyed in a very direct manner.
Could the Minister assure me that the licence requested was granted fully?
It was not granted because it was never applied for. Inquiries were made as to whether a new manufacturing licence would issue and the reply was conveyed that such licence would issue but they neglected to make formal application for it—neglected or did not bother, I do not know
Am I to understand that a licence for Enniscorthy was not applied for?
Inquiries were made as to whether a licence would issue; the reply was that such licence would issue if application was made and such application was not made. These are the facts.
I do not want to misunderstand the Minister, but I take it that no application for a licence was made from the Enniscorthy area. Is that correct?
A formal inquiry was made whether a licence would issue if formal application was made and formal application was not not made.
Surely the Minister must be aware of the fact that it was intended to open a factory in Enniscorthy and that an application was made for a licence for that purpose? Am I to understand that that is false and that no application was made?
Application was made by way of inquiry as to whether there would be a formal acquiescence in favour of the applicant but having conveyed to the promoters of the industry concerned that a new manufacturing licence would issue if formal application was made, a formal application was never received. That is as plain as I can make it.
Can the Minister say——
Surely this has been——
——if he is the only person to whom the application would be made, that it would not be to the Department of Finance?
It is the responsibility of the Minister for Industry and Commerce but the Industrial Development Authority usually examine these applications and make recommendations to the Minister.
In other words, no application could be made by somebody intending to open a factory in Enniscorthy without the Minister being aware of it?
No.