(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of factories that have ceased operation in the year February, 1974 to February, 1975; and the number of jobs lost due to these closures.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Factory Closures.
8.
I have been informed by the Industrial Development Authority that according to information available to them, 54 industrial undertakings closed down in the period February, 1974 to February, 1975; the number of workers who had been employed in these undertakings was 3,561.
(Dublin Central): Will the Minister give any indication of the type of industries that closed? Were they the textile or footwear industries?
I have a list of 54 companies. A wide spectrum of companies is involved but the most seriously affected are in the clothing, textiles and footwear sectors. Over a decade and a half these industries were warned in COIP and other reports of the dangers of a free trade situation, which they are now suffering.
(Dublin Central): Were the closures due to competition on the export market or on the home market?
It is not possible to isolate home and export markets in circumstances where we move closer to free trade. The barriers to free trade with the UK are now very low and that country is a very powerful textile-exporting country. In circumstances of worldwide economic recession the demand diminishes both for exports and the domestic market. Both affect each other.
(Dublin Central): I am sure the Minister has read newspaper reports that there is a possibility the British may impose an import levy. Has he made any representations to the British Government before something on those lines happens? That would be detrimental to this country.
With regard to particularly sensitive exports I am in contact with my opposite number in Britain. I can only say that the touching-off by the British of an avalanche of trade protection in a number of countries would be detrimental to us and to many other countries struggling in the middle of a recession.