asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in order to provide employment, he will arrange for the establishment of an industrial estate convenient to Portlaoise, County Laois where no large industry has been established for many years so that this industrial estate would cater for the midlands in the same way as the proposed industrial estates already announced for other parts of the country; and if he is satisfied that the manpower is available and that suitable sites can be readily obtained for such an industrial development.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laois Industrial Estate.
21.
As the Deputy is, no doubt, aware, a statement of Government policy in relation to development centres and industrial estates was issued in August, 1965. It is not envisaged that the setting up of industrial estates in locations other than those mentioned in the Government statement will be undertaken pending completion of surveys of various regions, one of which comprises Counties Roscommon, Westmeath, Longford, Offaly, South Kildare and Laois, under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963.