asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will set up an industrial development corporation to ensure that there is not excessive external control over large sections of Irish industry, particularly in the distributive sector, and to develop State enterprise, to promote joint ventures for the utilisation of native resources and to ensure public participation in technologically based growth industries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Development Corporation.
42.
While I share the Deputy's interest in the specific objectives listed in the question, I believe that the right approach is to review the relevant powers and activities of existing agencies before deciding whether there is a need for any new bodies such as a separate industrial development corporation.
As examples of what is being done already I may mention that the Industrial Development Authority are giving a high priority to promoting joint ventures for Irish firms, are promoting technological development in Irish industry through a research and development grants scheme and have ensured public participation in growth industries by taking shareholdings in appropriate cases. The IDA will also be looking at new ways of getting a greater input from Irish enterprise into the industrial development drive, for example, by helping to identify development opportunities based on the technology and enterprise of existing industries including State industries.