asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether a light engineering industry has been lost to Waterford city recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford City Firm.
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I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that no proposal for such an industry for Waterford city was made to them.
Would the Minister say if any other industry has been lost to Waterford recently?
I have no knowledge of any other type of industry being lost to Waterford in the recent past.
As a matter of fact, the IDA are extremely active at present trying to attract industry to Waterford.
Can the Minister indicate how successful they will be?
I have no clear indication of that at the moment but the IDA are extremely active in their efforts. They have conveyed their prospects to an approach made to them recently.
In view of the high redundancy rate in Waterford, would the Minister make a special effort to get industries into the area in the near future?
The Deputy is about three months behind in this regard.
The Minister must not try to mislead the House. I met one of the Minister's officials in a deputation about this matter some three months ago.
Could the Deputy indicate in what way I am misleading the House?
The Minister said I was three months behind with regard to what was being done in Waterford. This is a misleading statement and the Minister is well aware of this.
The Deputy asked me if I would exhort the IDA to take steps to try to introduce industry to Waterford. I said the Deputy was three months behind in that regard. It is three months ago since I indicated to the IDA the necessity for doing this.