asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of efforts being made by the British National Farmers Union to acquire a controlling interest in an Irish meat processing factory (name supplied); and if he will make a statement concerning the desirability of such a step.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meat Factory Acquisition.
31.
The meat factory in question is already a subsidiary of the British Fatstock Marketing Corporation. A recent bid for control of the parent British Corporation by the NFU was referred by the UK authorities to their Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
There is nothing to prevent any Irish commercial interest from seeking to acquire the factory here, but I have no official powers to intervene. As the Deputy knows, statutory provision for minimum Irish participation in the ownership of any kind of processing industry here was removed years ago.
Could I point out that the last part of the question asked the Minister if he would make a statement concerning the desirability of such a step? I wonder would the Minister indicate his view on this?
I wonder what is being asked for? Are we trying to bring back the Control of Manufactures Act, which the Opposition when in Government removed, and with the removal of which I agree? I think they were right to remove it.
May we take it from what the Minister has just said that he does not consider such a development to be undesirable?
I consider it would be undesirable to bring back, in effect, the Control of Manufactures Act, which was abolished by the Government of the day.
I think that is a different question.
Anyway, the Minister must agree with what is going on.
Question No. 32.
I would prefer to see the maximum processing of products in this country in Irish hands but I have no power to compel that to happen.
And the Minister is not giving them much help either.