asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is satisfied with the rate of adaptation of industry in preparation for freer trade.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Adaptation.
19.
On the basis of the statistics of adaptation grants which were approved by An Foras Tionscal, I feel that reasonable progress has been made with physical adaptation.
I would like to see greater progress with regard to other aspects of adaptation, particularly rationalisation and specialisation. As the Deputy is probably aware I am at present engaged in a series of meetings with the Chairmen of Adaptation Councils which I hope will stimulate progress in these forms of adaptation.
I am also engaged in separate series of meetings with representatives of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and leading managerial figures in broad sectors of industry. The objective of these meetings is to ensure that everyone in industry, management and workers, will play a full part in promoting adaptation and development so as to meet and overcome increasing competition in the home market and to enhance our capacity in export markets.