asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of unrest among employees in factories in the Sligo-Leitrim Constituency due to the closing down in recent years of the lead mines at Ballisodare, the barytes mines at Benbulben and Sligo Spinning Company and the reported closing of a Sligo foundry; and that there is redundancy in other industries in the constituency; and if he has any plans to put a halt to this trend.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sligo-Leitrim Industrial Employment.
52.
Apart from the specific cases mentioned, I am not aware of any redundancy in other industries in the area mentioned in the Deputy's question.
The main objective of Government industrial policy is to create the conditions in which private enterprise will become more efficient and will be stimulated to embark on new activities. In order to encourage, attract and stimulate industrial expansion, generous incentives have been provided by the State. It is for private enterprise to take advantage of these facilities, and the Deputy may rest assured that any sound proposals for the establishment of industries in the West of Ireland are given, and will continue to be given, all possible assistance by me. In this connection I might mention that the campaign of the Industrial Development Authority to attract new industrial activity is being vigorously pursued. As I indicated in the Dáil during the recent debate on the Estimate for my Department, I have arranged for the engagement of the services of a firm of consultants with world-wide experience to assist in a major appraisal of the work of the Authority.