Vol. 255 No. 19
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he recently received a deputation from Laois County Council requesting that County Laois be declared a designated area; if he has considered fully the matters raised by this deputation; and, if so, with what result.
28.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is now prepared to declare County Offaly a designated area for the purpose of attracting industry there.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 28 together.
I recently received a deputation from Laois County Council, with whom I fully discussed the matter, and outlined the reasons why I am not at present in a position to designate Laois. My reasons are those already given in reply to a question in Dáil Éireann on 19th May, 1971. The same considerations apply in general to County Offaly.
