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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Feb 1965

Vol. 214 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Potez Factories.

14.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the great uneasiness amongst workers at Potez Industries Limited, Galway, owing to short time; and if he will make a statement in regard to the future of this industry that can allay any fears that the workers may have.

My attention has been drawn to press reports of the introduction of a short working week at the Potez factory in Galway. These reports included a reported statement by a spokesman for the management giving the reasons for this development and expressing the hope that it would not continue for long. I have no further information in the matter and I am not in a position to make a statement regarding the future of the industry. I trust, however, that the expectation that the present situation will not be of long duration will be realised.

Is the Minister aware that when this industry was opened, the Taoiseach announced that it would employ 700 people within two years, that since then, we have had redundancy and that now we have 185 people employed there on a 36-hour week? Would the Minister try to explain what the Taoiseach had in mind when he promised employment for 700?

The Deputy knows the situation there perfectly well as it has been published in the newspapers on several occasions. Owing to the mild winter, there has been a certain amount of slowing down in production, not only of this type of heating apparatus but of others manufactured throughout Europe where there has been a mild winter. There is every hope that this industry will continue and prosper and the Deputy should not do anything that would harm those prospects.

Could the Minister explain why the Taoiseach promised employment for 700 people within two years?

That has nothing to do with the question on the Order Paper.

15.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the full amount to date paid by way of grants to Potez Industries Limited, Galway.

The grants payments to Potez Industries of Ireland Ltd., Galway, have been published in the annual reports of An Foras Tionscal for the years ended 31st March, 1962, 1963 and 1964.

Has the Minister any control over the expenditure of these grants? Would he consider putting a Government official into these places to see how they are run?

There is no intention of putting Government officials into private industries. These people came here on the understanding that these industries would be operated on a private enterprise basis. We are trying to develop areas where employment is needed and it sounds to me as if the Deputy is trying to torpedo this industry.

Of course he is.

Cod! It has not sailed yet. So we have no control over expenditure of public moneys?

16.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when he expects production to start in the Potez aeroplane factory at Baldonnel, County Dublin.

I understand that the factory building has been completed and machinery installed. A nucleus of workers has been engaged and recruitment is proceeding. Production of certain parts has commenced.

Is the Minister aware that a number of fitters and others have been let go? It was stated that the industry would be opened in the beginning of January but there is no sign of its being opened yet.

The information the Minister has received is very recent information.

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