asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement concerning the proposals to erect a smelter plant in either the Cork or Limerick region.
147.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Smelter Plant.
146.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the serious unemployment situation in the west of Ireland, he will take the steps necessary to ensure that the smelter plant is located on a suitable site in this region where mineral ores are being mined.
I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together.
A final decision regarding the erection of a smelter or its possible location has not yet, I am informed, been taken by the promoters. The Industrial Development Authority are maintaining contact with the Smelter Corporation of Ireland.
The position about the availability of grants was explained to the Smelter Corporation by the IDA who indicated that the corporation would qualify for a higher grant if they located the smelter in a designated western area.
It is highly desirable that the continued confusion about the proposed location of the smelter should be dispelled as soon as possible. There is a conflict of information and, it appears, the information given to the smelter interests by the IDA, now coming to light, make it essential that the position be finalised. Would the Minister agree?
Certainly, I should be very pleased to see the matter finally ironed out. The Smelter Corporation of Ireland have this proposal in hand. The Deputy said it has now come to light that a higher grant was indicated as being available if the smelter is located in a western area. This has been known for some time. In the final part of my reply, I have reiterated what I have already said on a number of occasions —but perhaps Deputy O'Hara did not get the message.
Cork has got the message, anyway.