asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if the cans used for food processing in this country are imported from the United Kingdom, if he has satisfied himself that we are not vulnerable to industrial disputes in this industry in Britain and if not, if he will take steps to establish a can making industry here.
Written Answers. - Food Processing Cans.
322.
Cans for the food processing industry are manufactured by Irish firms but the output falls short of the market requirements and most of the cans used here are imported. I understand that a shortage of tinplate arising from an industrial dispute within the UK steel industry is having some effect on the production of cans there and this could cause difficulties for the Irish food processing industry.
For some time past I have been urging the IDA to secure the manufacture of a higher proportion of our requirements in Ireland and a number of possibilities in this sector are being pursued. It should be borne in mind, however, that Irish can producers could not be insulated entirely from the effects of industrial disputes on supplies of raw materials coming from abroad.