asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps he is taking to provide a tenant for the vacant factory at Arva, County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
17.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cavan Vacant Factories.
16.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps he is taking to provide a tenant for the vacant factory at Dowra, County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 17 together.
I have been informed by the Industrial Development Authority that they are finalising the purchase of both factories. The authority are actively promoting each factory for a suitable project and, during this year, arranged for a number of visits to each premises by industrial promoters. I understand, however, that, to date, no definite project has emerged for either factory. The authority have assured me that they will continue their efforts to secure projects for these vacant factories and that each is included in the list of vacant premises which is brought to the attention of prospective industrialists.
Would the Minister encourage the Industrial Development Authority to suggest those places as places for factories? It is generally believed in my area that people are diverted elsewhere. I have some evidence to that effect.
First, I will draw the attention of the IDA to the Deputy's remarks. Secondly, if the Deputy has evidence of the diverting of factories elsewhere he would be doing both the area and my Department a service if he provided the information to me because it is entirely contrary to policy. We recognise that these areas have a difficulty of a kind that is obvious to all of us and they are, therefore, entitled to extra effort to compensate for that. That is the policy of the authority and that is a policy which I uphold. I said recently that I would not be swayed by Deputies' representations in regard to the location of factories. I meant that I would not be swayed away from the application of objective criteria. That does not, of course, diminish the right of Deputies to bring these things to my attention. I shall be happy to listen to them if they do.
The particular instance was called to the attention of the authority.