asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if he will give an assurance that the decision to close the Ceimicí Teo. glucose plant at Corroy, County Mayo, will be rescinded.
Ceisteanna — Questions Oral Answers - Ceimicí Teo. Glucose Plant.
6.
No decision to close the Ceimicí Teo. glucose plant at Corroy, County Mayo, has been taken. Discussions are now at an advanced stage between Fielder Gillespie, an Australian company, Ceimicí Teo. and the Industrial Development Authority for the establishment of a wheat protein and glucose manufacturing plant at Ringaskiddy, County Cork. A final decision on this joint venture is not expected for some months. If it is decided to go ahead with the joint venture project it will be necessary to discontinue the production of glucose at Corroy as soon as the new plant is in production. However, both Ceimicí Teo. and the IDA will seek an alternative industry at Corroy to employ the existing workforce.
If the joint venture in Cork goes ahead, does that mean the closure of Ceimicí Teo. operations in Corroy?
It would not be profitable to continue with the present operation in Corroy.
We have the ludicrous position where Ceimicí Teo. are involved in negotiations for the Cork project and, at the same time, are telling the country they do not intend to close Corroy. There is something anomalous in that kind of statement. Why, after spending £1.63 million on refurbishing and updating Corroy, was it not seen fit to provide a milling plant there which is now being proposed for Cork? In the past year £1.63 millions of public money was spent there on new plant and anti-pollution facilities.
A question, please, Deputy.
Why was a decision not taken to provide the milling plant at Corroy?
These are matters for the company. When the other industry goes ahead it will not be profitable to continue the present one. In the event of Ceimicí Teo. having to close down at Corroy, the Government will take all necessary steps to ensure that some other industry is provided for the area. We have had no decision stating categorically that the Corroy factory will close down.
If Ceimicí Teo. are successful in their discussions on the joint venture, it will close. May I put it to the Minister that, having answered Question No. 5, the same kind of special consideration will be given to Ceimicí Teo. in Corroy as was given to Kiltimagh, which so far has been unsuccessful. Has the Minister's office any responsibility for a decision which would undertake to provide a milling plant in Corroy or is he washing his hands clean?
The Government, through the IDA, have assisted in every possible way in the establishment of industry. They have assisted with grants in the case of Corroy. A considerable amount of money was made available over the last number of years to assist the operation there, but it has not been very successful. Last year the output was 11,000 tons as against 24,000 the previous year. Decisions are taken on the basis of the actual situation. If the project is viable, the company will continue.
The Minister has not answered my question. I asked the Minister if he has responsibility for this.
The Deputy does not have to ask questions of that kind.
The Minister to answer Question No. 7.
The Minister told me it was a matter for the board. Has he responsibility for deciding this? He should answer "yes" or "no".
I have called Question No. 7 and the Minister is to answer it.
Due to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I intend to raise this matter on the adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.