asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that Fermoy town, County Cork is one of those urgently in need of an industry to help the unemployment problem; and if he will take steps to ensure that the town's genuine claim and facilities are well presented by his Department to those interested in starting new industries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fermoy Industrial Need.
41.
I am aware of the need for establishing new industries in Fermoy and other areas. The selection of a location for an industrial project is, however, a matter for the promoters and those proposing to invest their capital in a project. The Government provide valuable facilities to encourage the establishment and development of industries in all areas. It is for private enterprise to take advantage of these facilities and local interest should do their best to encourage private enterprise to set up industries in their own areas.
I can assure the Deputy that any sound proposals by local or other interests for the establishment of an industry in Fermoy will receive all possible assistance from my Department and from the Industrial Development Authority.
I am happy that the Minister has Fermoy in mind but is he aware that recently a newspaper report stated that he received a deputation from the Fianna Fáil cumann in the town of Mallow and the report stated that he said he had something at the back of his mind for Mallow? If that is so, how can he reconcile that with his reply?
I am not aware of the report.
It was in the Cork Examiner.
If a person comes here with the idea of establishing an industry and does not know one locality from another and goes to the Industrial Development Authority, surely he is given some advice in relation to where he may obtain a good site and the type of accommodation he requires?
That seems to be a separate question.
It is not really.
The question relates to Fermoy.
The question is: is any advice or assistance given to industrialists as to where they may locate an industry?
I should like to answer that supplementary question, Sir. The position is that when an industrialist comes along with a proposal, by virtue of the nature of the proposal, certain areas are automatically eliminated because they require, say, a particular volume of water which is not available, and therefore they are out, or if the industry must be located on the sea, then inland sites are out, and so various other factors operate to eliminate a great many places. In regard to those places that would qualify, there are available from the Industrial Development Authority details, and in some cases very advanced and up-to-date brochures, about different areas and these are brought to the attention of the industrialist who usually chooses four or five of them and goes to visit and inspect some of them in the particular category.