asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether it continues to be the policy of semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department to utilise to the fullest extent possible home industry in manufacturing processes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Home Industry in Manufacture.
4.
All semi-State companies under the aegis of my Department adhere to the policy of utilising to the fullest practicable extent home industry in manufacturing processes.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is a fear that, out of the 1,760 workers in Inchicore Works, 760 may be laid off as a result of the policy of CIE to send back cradle coaches to Britain to be completed? This is a situation where CIE is not attempting to use home industry. Does the Parliamentary Secretary agree that this is in conformity with what he says is the policy of the Department?
Yes; I said "the policy of utilising to the fullest practicable extent home industry in manufacturing processes", and that is still being done.
Is it in conformity with the policy of the Government to lay off welders, boilermakers, sheet metal workers, body builders and labourers in the Inchicore Works? Is this using native Irish resources and workers?
I have no indication of the laying off——
Up to 760 men in the Inchicore Works face redundancy.
We shall come to that on a later question.