asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the information given to the Dáil over the past weeks that so many necessary articles are not manufactured in the State or are not available at a quality or price suitable to the purchaser, he has drawn these facts to the attention of the IDA with the hope of having the position rectified.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Non-Irish Goods.
17.
At the beginning of 1975 the Industrial Development Authority introduced a project identification scheme designed to identify investment opportunities for Irish industry in manufacturing products which are being imported into the country.
In so far as Government purchases and purchases by State sponsored bodies are concerned arrangements have been made for supplying appropriate information to the IDA through my Department.
While every effort is being made to stimulate the production of goods now being imported which can be made here competitively, it has to be recognised that in a small country there will necessarily be many products which cannot be made economically because the home market is too small to support efficient production.
Having conducted this investigation and identification how is the information conveyed to the public or would-be investors?
It is done through the mechanism of the IDA and through the contacts the IDA have. It is worth recording that since the unit commenced operations at the beginning of 1975 there are already eight new industrial projects agreed by the IDA. There are 30 other firm projects which are at various stages of negotiation with the potential manufacturers and there are 50 separate product investigations being carried out. I am pleased with the level of response in a period of about 14 months. It was a genuine lack and the figures I have given the House indicate that it is being responded to. This lack was identified in the middle of 1974 before the current difficulties. The mechanism is through the entire network of physical branch offices and of contacts, who have a knowledge of Irish industry, which the IDA possess.
Assuming that the IDA have identified such a want could they get someone to fill this want or must they wait for the initiative to come from somebody else?
I understand that they take the initiative in trying to have the gap filled.