asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that several industrial concerns have postponed or abandoned plans for expansion and modernisation of their factories and increases in their labour forces because of uncertainties created by Governmental announcements of pending alterations in trading and market arrangements; and what steps will be taken to provide a secure climate in which industrialists can accurately estimate their position in the future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trading and Market Arrangements.
107.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative.
Irish industrialists have, of course, been made aware through the Second Programme and otherwise of the movement towards freer trade and they have been encouraged to take the necessary measures to adapt themselves to this situation by the provision of State assistance in various forms.
Is the Minister aware that in the confectionery and food processing businesses, a number of which are subsidiaries of major British concerns, proposals to expand buildings and instal up-to-date machines and plant were abandoned some years ago because of our proposed entry into the EEC? When these concerns were recently about to expand, another clanger was dropped when discussions were announced in relation to free trade between this country and Britain. The effect of these announcements has been that expansion which would have taken place has not taken place.
I have no knowledge of that, but the doubtful situation will not last very much longer, I hope, in case anybody is hesitating.
They will know whether they will have to close or not.
The death verdict will be announced soon.
Mr. O'Malley
Like the Greenmount & Boyne——
If all the people on the benches opposite were as concerned as the Greenmount & Boyne, they could lift their heads high, but that is something they cannot do now.