asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of persons employed at a factory (name supplied) in Sligo; and how long the factory has been in production.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Sligo Factory Employment.
16.
The answer to the first part of the question is 128.
This factory has been in production since the licensing of such factories was introduced in 1935, prior to which I understand it had been in operation for many years.
The management of the factory are prepared to provide a site, they have been granted planning permission and have a water supply, but despite that and despite the many representations that have been made on the matter no effort is being made to proceed with the erection of a factory. At the moment the 128 men are working under most unsatisfactory conditions. There is also the danger that at a later date the factory might close, as has happened in many other cases. Can the Minister state the reason for the delay in this case?
Is the Deputy criticising the management of the factory?
No. The management have offered the Department a site for a new factory.
I would point out to the Deputy that the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries do not want a site; it is the factory who require the site. The Department are not in the bacon processing business and they do not require a site. I think the Deputy may be under a misapprehension here. He may think it is because of some obstruction offered by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries that a new plant is not being established in Sligo. I should like to tell him this is not the case.
May I ask the Minister why is there this delay?
I told the House a couple of months ago that the company were making an examination of the financial structure of the Sligo factory and I presume this is at present in train.