asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism with reference to the Taoiseach's statement during his address to the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis that a review of the extent of this country's reliance on foreign-owned industry is needed, if he will indicate who will carry out that review, what its specific purpose will be and when it will commence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign-Owned Industry.
28.
At the request of the Government the National Economic and Social Council have already commenced a detailed study of all aspects of our industrial development activities. The question of foreign ownership will be among the matters to be examined in this study.
Would the Minister not agree that the need for a study in the first place as outlined by the Taoiseach at the Ard Fheis arises directly from the policy of the Government in supporting, first, private industry and, secondly, foreign industry at the expense of productive investment in the State sector in food processing, timber and other works?
I would not accept that. The present policies have served us very well. The situation is that there is now need for a comprehensive review of all our policies in the industrial sector in the light of circumstances today. The review is just not looking at foreign-owned industry. I would refer the Deputy to the remainder of the Taoiseach's speech when he said that such a review would include the type of industries we should have, the application of science and technology, the extent of our reliance on foreign-owned industry, the level of research and development, taxation, financial incentives, manpower and employment programmes. That is what the survey is looking at and not just one single aspect of it. As regards investment by the public sector the Deputy gave a few examples, one of them being the timber industry. As regards that industry, while my tendencies would be to agree with the Deputy that we should be doing more, I regret that the experience we have had over the last few years is bringing me rapidly to the conclusion that we are going up a cul-de-sac when approaching it in that manner.
Will the study be provided only to the Government or will it be published by the NESC? When have the Government asked for the report to be completed or when do they expect it to be completed?
The report will be completed by the end of this year. As to the publication, I am not fully aware.
I did not hear the last few words of the Minister of State's reply. In what direction are we going up a cul-de-sac?
I said we could be if we put too much reliance on a State enterprise. The record of State enterprise in some fields has not been as good as we would all like it to be. We must review the situation.
They are bound hand and foot.
Is it not a fact that one of the difficulties the timber industry has to labour under is that they are not able to acquire thinnings from State forests at a price which makes the processing of these thinnings economic and that makes it impossible for them to compete with cheap imports from elsewhere? Is that not what has put the industry to the wall?
That is not a fact. It has changed.
Is the Minister saying that any assistance given to indigenous industries is a waste of money?
No.
That is the interpretation that can be taken from what he has said. The Minister mentioned one industry which is very vulnerable and it so happens at present that the vulnerable ones are Irish-owned, indigenous industries. What is the Minister doing about it? Is he calling money being spent throwing it up a cul-de-sac?
I did not say that and the Deputy is aware of that.
Would the Minister say whether and, if so, when the Sean Lemass-type industrial development consortium considered the whole question of the timber industry's future?
If the Deputy puts down a question about that matter he will get a full answer.
Surely a Seán Lemass-type consortium must——
Order.
(Interruptions.)
That is the last we will hear of that.
I am calling the next question.