asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in order to assist in the speedier occupation of the advance factory which the IDA propose to build at Athlone, County Westmeath, he will for at least a limited period declare Athlone a designated area for the purpose of industrial grants.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Athlone Industrialisation.
54.
As I told the Deputy in reply to a previous question a few months ago, the attraction of industry to Athlone continues to receive the special consideration of the Industrial Development Authority. The authority's proposal to provide an advance factory serves to illustrate this. I am not satisfied, however, that the designation of Athlone is necessary to ensure early occupation of this factory.
Can the Minister state what is the unemployment position in Athlone at present compared with six or 12 months ago? It is quite appalling——
I have not got the figures.
The Minister then talks about what the IDA are doing——
Did the Minister see Frank Hall's programme on Athlone recently?
I did. I do not accept that it was all fact. I did not think it was a Frank Hall programme. I saw a programme.
Is the Minister not aware of the serious situation that has arisen in part of his own constituency where a number of people in the Clonmacnoise and Ballinahowen areas, who were engaged in profitable employment in Athlone, are now unemployed? Is the Minister not aware that they are unable to get alternative employment in Athlone? Surely this fact must cause the Minister some personal disturbance since, like myself, he is a representative of the area. Athlone is the centre of activity for people from the Ballinahowen, Clonmacnoise and Clonfanlough areas.
It is because of my detailed knowledge of the situation in Athlone and the surrounding areas that the IDA have been pressed for a considerable period to have something done about industrial development in Athlone. Something is now being done but apparently this is upsetting some Deputies. The job is being tackled and the indications are that there will be industrial development in Athlone.
What have they succeeded in doing?
Is the Minister aware that more than 400 people have been declared redundant in Gentex in the last year and that there is more unemployment in Athlone at the present time than there was a year ago? Further, is the Minister aware that the Minister for Transport and Power, in the presence of the Taoiseach, promised two new factories to the people of Athlone? This was done before the last general election. The Taoiseach did not deny the statement; he stood idly by when the promise was made, knowing that it was completely misleading. I challenge the Taoiseach to deny that fact.
We cannot debate this question all afternoon. I am calling Question No. 55.
Obviously the Deputies have not listened to my reply because I announced that the IDA are providing one of these factories at the present time.
When?
It is a case of "Live horse and you will get grass".
Order. I am calling Question No. 55.
It is a case of another promise.
It is another broken promise.
Would Deputies please allow Questions to continue? I have called Question No. 55 several times.
We cannot build more than one factory at a time.
Unfortunately for the people the Minister can close two or three at a time.