asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce why a car assembly firm (name supplied) which bought a large site in the constituency of Dublin South-West and in an adjoining constituency with a view to expanding its assembly operations, has now sold this site and is importing assembled cars.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Car Assembly Sites.
51.
I understand that the company concerned decided that it would not be economic in the longterm to proceed with an expansion of their vehicle assembly activities. The company have continued the assembly of motor vehicles in their existing plant. They are entitled to import fully built up vehicles in accordance with the special arrangements for the assembly industry.
Is the Minister aware that in addition to the site referred to in the question this company were seeking planning permission for extra land in that area and had apparently come to the decision that it would be economic provided the unit was sufficiently large? I am wondering why they had a change of heart so recently.
My information is that it is not so recent. The original decision was made in 1970 and the decision to dispose of half the site was taken in July, 1973, 16 months ago.