asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if any industries have been earmarked for the Bray, County Wicklow area in the immediate future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bray Industries.
44.
The IDA have informed me that negotiations are at an advanced stage with regard to two projects for Bray which, between them, have an employment potential at full production of 700 jobs. The authority will do everything possible to ensure that these two projects materialise, though, of course, the final decision to proceed rests with the promoters.
I might add that two new projects commenced production in Bray during 1974. At full production these firms will employ a total of 220. Their current employment is almost 50.
To deal with the latter point first, the Minister referred to firms which commenced operations recently in Bray and which, at full production, will employ 220 people. Surely the Minister is aware that last week one of those firms laid off a further 65 people?
The Deputy is imparting information to the House.
Is that not the purpose of the House.
This was the purpose of my question.
The Deputy asked about industries earmarked for Bray.
Have I your permission to deal first with a matter referred to by the Minister in his reply?
The Deputy will be allowed to ask a supplementary relating to the question he tabled.
I hope that I will be allowed a supplementary on the reply given.
The Deputy must not go outside the scope of his question.
One of these firms is to employ approximately 400 people and the county council made available recently a site for the firm. Can the Minister state what has happened and why this firm have not set up in Bray?
From the information offered by the Deputy I am not in a position to identify the firm and, consequently, I cannot answer the question.
It was the firm Nixdorf. Can the Minister say whether one of these other firms that is to begin operations in Bray is to employ mostly male labour?
While I am willing to give reasonable information and as much information as possible, I do not think that the gathering of occasional snippets of information in this way, before the companies involved are willing that this should be done, is helpful. People may wish to know the situation at a given moment but these decisions rest with the establishing company and one can damage the chances of their establishing or can increase the chances of the other cities or towns that are endeavouring to attract those concerns by giving away information too soon.
Is the Minister aware——
I have allowed sufficient supplementaries on this question.
——that Wicklow County Council have made a site available for this firm?
(Interruptions.)
The jobs are not there.
The Deputy must allow Question Time to proceed. Question No. 45.