asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps he proposes to take to find replacement industry for the Kilrush, County Clare area following the recent closure of two industries in the town.
31.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Clare Industries.
30.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has any proposals for the establishment of new industries in the West Clare area.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 31 together.
I have been informed by the Shannon Free Airport Development Company Ltd. that a proposed project by a US promoter for location in Doonbeg is still under negotiation. The project has an employment potential for 160 people.
In addition, they are in negotiation with promoters for the location of two projects at Kilrush, which between them would have an employment potential of 70 jobs. The company have been asked to do everything to secure alternative employment for the redundant workers in Kilrush.
Can the Minister give me any indication as to when we can expect a decision in regard to either of these proposals?
I cannot, because there is so much variation. Sometimes things come to a quick conclusion. Sometimes they do not. If a fair amount of work had not been done on them, we would not consider them sufficiently mature proposals to be mentioned at all. I could not give an estimate as to how long they will take.
Is the Minister aware of the seriousness of the situation in Kilrush in particular and is he aware that in reply to a question I tabled here in January he gave me an assurance about one particular industry there and within a week the industry in question closed down? Perhaps he would like to comment on that?
In regard to my awareness. I said in the last sentence of my written answer that SFADCo have been asked to do everything to secure alternative employment for the redundant workers in Kilrush. I acknowledge the need in Kilrush. At a time of economic difficulty I am not in a position to know the details of the affairs of very many companies, and indeed they often do not make those details public or make them available to me until a very late stage.
In reply to a question of mine on 21st January in relation to one industry in Kilrush the Minister assured me that the initial problems had been resolved there and that he hoped everything was OK. Within a week of that assurance the place had closed down. Is he not aware of that?
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.
We are not finished with this particular question.
In view of the abnormal displacement of workers in the area would the Minister——
(Interruptions.)
Order.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply I wish to give notice of my intention to raise this matter on the adjournment.