asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that a long established firm (name supplied) in County Cavan, went out of existence following the issue of a licence by his Department for the importation of veneer to a foreign firm in Ireland which has since gone out of existence also; and if there is anything that can be done to help to compensate the Irish firm in the circumstances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Closing of County Cavan Firm.
28.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the case of a veneer merchant who used to send veneer type logs abroad for cutting until export control was imposed on such logs to ensure a supply of this scarce timber for firms engaged in veneer cutting within this country.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by my predecessor, on 25th June, 1964, to a question about the same case.
When representations were made on this merchant's behalf, my predecessor agreed, in the special circumstances, to provide him with export facilities, and he was informed of this on 15th April, 1964.
Surely the Minister should be aware that the firm to which he refers, Fred Sherriff & Sons, Veneer Merchants, of Bailieborough, County Cavan, did in fact, go out of existence because of the way in which the matter was dealt with by the Minister for Industry and Commerce of the time and he also must be aware that the firm who succeeded in putting him out of business have since gone out of business themselves, mainly because of bad workmanship? In the circumstances, would the Minister not consider having an investigation into the matter, with a view to seeing if something could be done for this reputable firm of Fred Sherriff & Sons who gave employment for a long period in Cavan and were put out mainly due to the fact that the Department of Industry and Commerce at the time were a little bit too soft with one of these fly-by-night firms who came in and got an industry started?
There is nothing in the notes here which says the firm is, in fact, out of business but if the Deputy says that they are out of business, I accept that that is the position. I must say I regret that. As the Deputy knows, there was a considerable discussion about this matter three years ago and a question and supplementary questions were put to the present Taoiseach who was then Minister for Industry and Commerce in the matter also. Presumably, whatever export facilities were given to the firm at that time should have enabled them to carry on.
They were too late. When the matter was discussed, the present Taoiseach, who was then Minister for Industry and Commerce, and the Taoiseach at that time were apparently under the impression that the reference was simply to one consignment of logs which had been the subject of a court case. Apparently, the broader issue, the fact that the firm had lost its entire business because of faulty workmanship on logs and that the new firm was the cause of the trouble, completely escaped everybody discussing it. In the circumstances, perhaps the Minister might ask the Minister for Industry and Commerce to have a further look at the file because I believe a grave injustice is being done to a very good firm.
I will certainly do that, yes. I suppose the background is that you must try to protect home industry as well.
This was a home industry and they did not get the protection.
I will convey the Deputy's remarks to the Minister.
Thank you very much.