asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy why he has not published the 1975 Report of the Council of Industrial Design Guidelines for a National Industrial Design Policy; if he will now publish the document; and if he will outline Government policy regarding the development of industrial design in Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Design.
28.
The Council of Industrial Design was established in early 1973 as an advisory body. In May 1975 they submitted a report to my predecessor who subsequently decided against arranging for its publication. I do not propose at this stage to alter that decision.
Statutory responsibility for the promotion, assistance and development of industrial design was assigned to Córas Tráchtála under section 5 of the Export Promotion (Amendment) Act, 1967. This responsibility for the raising of design standards in Irish industry has been discharged through the operations of CTT's Design Section, whose main objective has been to develop a better understanding of the role of design in industry and the complementary operations of the Kilkenny Design Workshops. The activities of these bodies include the provision of a wide range of advisory services, a product design and development service, the encouragement and training of student designers including a design scholarship scheme, the organisation of exhibitions and seminars and the publication of design promotional literature. These activities are financed by way of grants in aid, provision for which is made each year in the Vote of my Department.
Despite the fact that the Minister is not prepared to alter the decision of his predecessor regarding not having the report published would he be prepared to have a copy of it made available in the Oireachtas Library?
I could not give a decision off the cuff on that but I shall have the position examined with a view to ascertaining whether what the Deputy asks is possible.