Vol. 267 No. 12
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether his Department or any Government agency has taken any positive action to procure alternative employment for the workers of Creeslough, County Donegal, who were recently rendered redundant by the closing of the veneer factory.
87.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps which have been taken by the Government or any State agency to revive the veneer milling industry in Creeslough, County Donegal.
88.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is satisfied that there was any economic justification for closing the veneer mill in Creeslough, County Donegal.
With your permission a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 86, 87 and 88 together.
I understand that the veneer mill closed in April last because of economic difficulties. At present active discussions are proceeding between the owners of the mill and an Irish firm with a view to restarting the mill in Creeslough. These discussions offer the best short-term prospect of securing employment for the workers who were made redundant. The substantial industrial development envisaged for Letterkenny should also benefit Creeslough and its neighbourhood in the longer term.
May I draw the Minister's attention specifically to the reason——
Has the Deputy got a question?
Is the Minister not aware, from information in his Department, that this industry was not closed on the basis of economic difficulties, but that it was closed, by a company who only took it over a few years ago allegedly on the basis that the trouble in the Six Counties was interfering with it? Since this company, the parent company of the associate that ran this mill, and closed it down and threw workers out, have other business concerns in this country, should the squeeze not be put on them, because they have done the workers down in that area in a very thriving industry that is now paying better all over the world than ever before?
The information at my disposal is that the mill was closed because of economic difficulties. My answer also indicated that discussions are proceeding between the owners and an Irish firm with a view to restarting the mill in Creeslough. I take it that the Deputy and myself share the wish that it should restart and I would suggest to him that at this time, when this does offer the best opportunity of restarting, we ought to give the discussions every chance of succeeding.
While I fully agree that every opportunity should be granted for the starting of this industry, is the Minister aware that all existing stocks of logs, treated and untreated, have already been disposed of, that there is not a stick of timber left in the place, and that even if a re-start were negotiated satisfactorily in the morning there could not be a wheel or a saw turned there, or a cutting operation done, for at least six to 12 months because they have to come from the other side of the world and they are scarce at the moment?
