asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he proposes to take action to prevent the closing of Perry's Brewery in Rathdowney, County Laois.
36.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Closing of Laois Brewery.
35.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the anxiety and distress caused by the closure of Perry's Brewery, Rathdowney, County Laois, resulting in a loss of employment on a large scale; what steps it is proposed to take to assist the brewery to continue in operation or to find alternative work for the workers concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 35 and 36 together.
Decisions regarding the operations of individual factories are entirely a matter for the principals of these factories and there is no way in which I can compel private interests to continue in business if they consider that it is not commercially feasible for them to do so. I have been in touch with the management of Robert Perry & Son Ltd. and I have been informed by them that there is no possibility of altering their decision to close the brewery. I am, however, keeping in touch with the situation at Rathdowney and I understand that two entirely separate business interests have sought information from the management regarding the purchase of the Rathdowney Brewery and Maltings with a view to establishing an industry there. I can assure the Deputies that any sound industrial proposal which may be formulated in relation to the Rathdowney area will receive all possible assistance from me and from the Industrial Development Authority.
Mr. O'Leary
Is the Minister aware that from the very outset of this big take-over by Arthur Guinness and Co. the parent company actually set about the deliberate destruction of the Perry's Ale Brewery? This was deliberate policy on the part of Arthur Guinness & Co. Is the Minister now saying that arising from the Government's close relationship with Messrs. Guinness the Government cannot ensure that this company will not go about the country taking over small family concerns in small towns and closing them?
That enlarges the scope of the question considerably.
A Deputy
Thank God for Beamish.
I am not aware that there is any foundation for the allegation in the first part of the Deputy's question. With regard to the second part of the question, the Deputy is as well aware as I am that neither this Government nor any other Government in this country have ever claimed, or ever will claim, the right to force a firm to keep open when it decides to close. What we can do, and what we do, is urge the firm not to close and we can, in certain circumstances perhaps, make arrangements with the people to keep a firm open. As the Minister for Labour said earlier, the schemes which he is getting under way will help to alleviate some of the difficulties involved but no matter what schemes are available, so long as firms close down their business like this there will be hardship involved. We can only try to mitigate the hardship arising from such a situation. I suggest that it is being less than candid with the people for Deputies to suggest that the Government can prevent happenings such as this or that there is any ulterior reason for our not taking action which we could take. Any action open to the Government to take has been taken and is being taken.
Would the Minister indicate, firstly, whether in fact he has had discussions with Messrs. Arthur Guinness and Company in relation to the proposed closing of the brewery? Secondly, would he indicate whether the decision on the part of Messrs. Guinness is irrevocable and whether he has any immediate plans for the initiation of a new industry and, thereby, the continuance of industrial activity in Rathdowney?
I am sorry; I did not get the second part of the Question.
The second part of my question was whether the decision to close this brewery is irrevocable, and if that is the Minister's information, can he indicate whether he, as Minister for Industry and Commerce, has any immediate plans for the continuation of industrial activity in Rathdowney because there is nothing else there?
With regard to the first part of the Deputy's question, discussions took place at my direction between the firm concerned and officials of my Department. With regard to the second part of the question, the Deputy is aware of the fact that the Minister for Industry and Commerce, as such, cannot have proposals for industrial activity in a particular area. I cannot say that there will be an industry starting up in Rathdowney almost immediately. I cannot say that. But I can say that there is a reasonable prospect that an industry will start there in the not too distant future. I do not want to mislead anybody concerned by giving the impression that this is something that is definite and fixed. It is not so. But there is a reasonable hope that it will be so. I am aware of the fact that as this is the only industry in Rathdowney, there is grave hardship involved and for that reason I am particularly concerned to try to mitigate the effects of what has happened. I do not think I can usefully add anything further.
Does the Minister not agree that this brewery was purchased for the sole purpose of closing it down and wiping out a competitor? If so, in view of the unemployment involved, does he disclaim any Governmental responsibility for interfering in such a transaction?
Mr. O'Leary
Long live laissez faire.
I have no evidence to support what the Deputy has said, but may I say that I am not aware——
(Interruptions.)
This is a matter of considerable gravity for some people. I suggest the Minister for Agriculture might take the smile off his face.
Do not be so pompous.
The Deputy is trying to get rid of his responsibilities to other people.
I was saying that I am not aware that any Party in this country advocates, as a matter of policy, that the Government should interfere in the development of private enterprise business to the extent of preventing firms when they, having discussed the matter, if necessary with representatives of the Government, show that it is uneconomic for them to continue. I am not aware that any Party in this country advocates that the Government should take the power to compel them to stay open either at their own expense, which presumably is unenforceable, or by way of subsidy from the Government. If a Party is advocating this, it is news to me, and I think the Irish people would like to know about it——
Mr. O'Leary
They will be hearing about it.
——and would like to hear the implications involved.
Question No. 37.
Mr. O'Leary
We know the implications in Rathdowney.
Would the Minister receive a deputation from the townspeople? I say this because I appreciate that the Minister may have information which he is not willing to disclose to the House but if there are any possible grounds which might suggest a reasonable prospect of industrial activity, I would urge the Minister to receive a deputation from the townspeople to discuss this matter with them.
I am willing to help in any way I can with such an association but, again, I do not want to mislead the House or the people.
I appreciate the way in which the Minister put it.
May I put it this way? If, at any stage, I consider that it would be of advantage to the people of Rathdowney I will be prepared to meet such a deputation.