asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement on the proposed closure of the Booth Poole car assembly plant which will result in the loss of jobs for over 140 workers especially in view of guarantees given in respect of the car assembly industry under the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Car Assembly Plant.
39.
I understand that the decision to cease assembly was taken on the grounds that the relatively small volume of assembly was proving uneconomic. I understand further that the company's assembly activities will be undertaken by other assembly plants in the group of companies of which Booth Poole & Co. Ltd. is one and that the decision to transfer assembly was taken in the interest of achieving increased efficiency and thereby preserving employment within the group as a whole, at the maximum level consistent with economic production.
Under the special arrangements agreed with the motor assembly industry in 1967 the motor vehicle assemblers are granted facilities for the importation of fully built-up vehicles in return for assurances to continue assembly at least at the level achieved in 1965. I understand that the intention of the group of companies concerned is to expand their present level of assembly.
This is a very serious matter because of the fact that over 140 workers are out. Were the Government aware of this fact before the announcement was made? Were the trade union involved aware of this fact before the announcement was made and if so when?
The representatives of the company called to the Department on Monday afternoon, 1st February, to say that the cessation of assembly by Booth Poole would be announced to the workers at 4.15 p.m. that day. This was the first intimation, official or otherwise, of the development.
Is it not scandalous?
Will the Minister not agree that this is scandalous?
Did the Minister nod his head? Does he agree that it is scandalous that workers should be given a few hours notice that their jobs are gone?
I agree.
In view of the fact that a guarantee was given that the staff would be retained, does the Minister not think that this was broken by that decision? Is not this take-over for rationalisation wrong because so many people will be disemployed as a result?
No. I cannot agree with the latter part of the Deputy's question. If rationalisation which increases productivity is found to be necessary in order to keep a business going, I am afraid I must accept that this has to be done. I could not go on record as being opposed to any form of rationalisation.
Does the Minister agree that an increasing number of cars has been coming into this country fully assembled and that if this were to continue the entire car assembly industry will collapse?
No. The point about it is that, under the arrangement that is being made, the same level of assembly is to be maintained as operated in 1965. This is being done.
Would the Minister say that is happening at the moment, that the same level of assembly is being carried on?
Across the industry, yes.
Therefore these workers will be absorbed into the industry? Does the Minister know what the percentage is?
One thing is not complementary to the other.
Does the Minister know what percentage of them will be? Has he made investigations?
As of now I am not in a position to say what the percentage is. As I have already indicated, my Department became aware of this fact in the early afternoon of Monday last. I became aware of it on arriving in Cork at 5.40 that evening.
Question No. 40.
The Minister was made aware of the Clara affair too at a very late stage. This is happening all over the country. Now there is talk of another car assembly industry collapse. Is the Minister aware of that?
I am not.
They are not bothering to come to the Minister in time, before they actually close down. Will the Minister have an investigation made into the car assembly business?
I have called Question No. 40.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
The Deputy will have to give notice of that on another day. It is now too late to give notice.
I will raise it next Tuesday. It is still important to the workers who are being thrown out like this. It is very unfair that you should have disallowed another supplementary.
It is Standing Orders that are disallowing the Deputy. I am not disallowing him.