asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has received representations for the establishment of an industrial estate at Tom Roe's Point, Drogheda, County Louth; and, if so, when a decision may be expected on this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drogheda Industrial Estate.
44.
The answer is no.
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 — in one of which the Drogheda area of County Louth is included — under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963.
The Minister will be glad to know that I was in communication with the appropriate Minister in this case and that to date the matter is proceeding satisfactorily.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary addressing the Chair?
Is this in order?
They are not on speaking terms in private affairs so they have to talk like this here.
On a point of order, I understood, and we all understand, that Question Time in this House is for the purpose of providing Deputies with information. Is it in order then when a Minister is apparently in distress, before any Deputy can properly prosecute his duty which is to question the Minister by means of supplementary questions, that there should rush to his aid and in his battles take part a Parliamentary Secretary? I suggest this is completely ultra vires the Standing Orders of the House.
Deputy Dunne is the last one to talk of order.
This is not a point of order.
It is a good point just the same.
Deputy Dunne's version of what the purpose of Question Time is——
That is for the Chair.
If he can say it, I can. His version of Question Time is very interesting and helpful to the House and we are lucky to have a man of Deputy Dunne's standards both as a playwright and politician.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
We appreciate it. It lightens the shining hour for us.