asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce under what circumstances he made reference in Japan to cheap labour available in Ireland for foreign investors; and if he will fully clarify this reference.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cheap Labour Reference.
20.
I did not make any statement to this effect in the course of my recent visits to Japan and the United States.
Has the Minister seen the press reports which indicate that the Minister did make reference, as an encouragement for foreign industries to come here, to the fact that there was cheap labour available in Ireland?
I saw that.
Does the Minister mean he made no such reference abroad about cheap labour being available here?
That is the point: I made no such reference.
The papers were definitely wrong?
They were wrong.
Let us not be so blasé about what newspapers do and do not report. May I put it to the Minister——
The Deputy may put a question. This is Question Time.
May I ask the Minister if when he became aware of the newspaper report he issued a denial saying that no such statement had been made by him?
I did not.
Why did you not?
Because——
Because the newspapers are always wrong?
Because if I were to use my time in my Department trying to trace misquotations and contradicting them all my time would be taken up on that and I would not be doing my job as a Minister.
I have not noticed the Minister getting all that publicity. How are the people to know whether, when the Minister says something, he is reported correctly or incorrectly, as the case may be? At what stage are the public to interpret what the Minister says as correct or otherwise?
That is the credibility gap.
By their deeds you shall know them.
I am calling Question No. 21.