asked the Minister for Energy if proposals have been received from the Government of the Soviet Union for the building of a zinc smelter plant; and, if so, the decision, if any, taken on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Zinc Smelter.
42.
In April 1978 a USSR delegation informed the Industrial Development Authority of their interest in the provision of smelter technology and equipment and in the training of personnel. The delegation stressed that they had no interest in equity participation or in marketing the output of a smelter. The Soviet delegation were informed that until the principals in the project were decided upon we were not in a position to ask them for a detailed proposal. The delegation accepted this and asked to be kept informed. Since then no further contact has taken place between the Soviet authorities and the IDA.
During the past year the IDA have been carrying out an appraisal of proposals from a number of parties interested in possible participation in the smelter project. The IDA are also in contact at present with another potentially interested party and as soon as all proposals from the prospective participants have been evaluated the IDA will furnish a complete report on the smelter project to me.