asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism the urgent measures he proposes to take in view of the imminent closure of Talbot Motors Limited with further loss of 132 jobs and consequential job losses in back-up industries and employment.
Private Notice Question. - Dublin Car Plant.
The job losses referred to in the question are threatened because of the embargo which has been placed on the importation of the firm's products, which is the subject of court proceedings. I have at all times been prepared to discuss the problems of this company with the interests concerned. In particular, the question of finding a diversification project which would provide alternative employment has been exhaustively investigated and if the proper conditions can be created further studies in relation to projects will be pursued.
Could the Minister confirm that the company have threatened to close from next Monday? In view of that, what action has he or the Government taken or do they propose to take to try to resolve the situation?
I am aware that the statement has been made by the company that they intend to close next Monday. The Minister is meeting the company's representatives at this time and that is why he is not here. He is meeting representative of the ICTU and discussions are going on at this very moment.
Would the Minister accept that apart from the 132 jobs immediately threatened there is also a threat to jobs at Dunlop in Cork and to dealers and also a threat to the livelihood of dealers themselves? Would he agree, therefore, that the matter is of great importance not only to those whose jobs and livelihood are threatened but also to those who drive cars supplied by this company who could be left without spare parts in future and whose cars, therefore, might be left undrivable and unusable? In view of that, can the Minister assure the House that every action is being taken to save jobs in those companies?
As I have said, the matter is a subject of court proceedings as can be seen from today's newspapers. My colleague, the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism, has asked the IDA to investigate this problem further to find out if he can get an alternative industry, say making components or something akin to the motor assembly industry. This is what he is discussing with the ICTU. He has met the employers and he is pursuing the whole matter as one of urgency. Due to the fact that this problem is in the courts I would not like to say anything in this House that might prejudice the discussions at present going on with Congress.
I was disappointed that my Private Notice Question regarding the non-distribution of census forms in many households in south Tipperary was disallowed.
I am sorry. The Deputy knows that he cannot raise that matter. I have ruled on that. The Deputy has been informed of the reason why the question was ruled out. We cannot have a discussion on it.