asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of a lay off of close on 200 men from Irish Steel Holdings Ltd., Haulbowline; and if he will arrange that the production of billets or ingots for the factory is carried on there instead of importing them from abroad, thus relieving the unemployment problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disemployment of Steel Workers.
100.
I have been informed by the company of the unemployment referred to by the Deputy.
As to the second part of the question, I understand that, as the bulk of the company's current ingot production has been committed to export under contract, there is no scope at present for the measures suggested by the Deputy and that, in any event, present disemployment is not caused by the company's export/import arrangements but by other factors, including a recession in the home market.
I am assured that the company is taking all reasonable steps to minimise temporary disemployment and to re-employ the men laid off at the earliest practicable time.
Would the Minister make representations to the company to ensure that these ingots and billets which are usually made in Irish Steel Holdings Limited are not imported during the next few months?
I do not think it is in the Minister's power to do that.
Imports have taken place before.
I am aware of that, but I understand the position is that the present arrangements are on foot of contracts which cannot be disregarded.
Like the corrugated iron for CIE.