asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if Clondalkin Paper Mills have been taken into public ownership; and when it is intended to reopen the mills.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clondalkin Paper Mills.
50.
Clondalkin Paper Mills have not been taken into public ownership. The previous Government considered this matter on 8 December 1982, and decided to postpone a decision on the purchase of the mills pending further consideration of certain outstanding issues. The present Government will complete a review of the position in the very near future and, in the meantime, I am not in a position to make any comment with regard to the second part of the Deputy's question.
I presume the Minister is aware of the manner in which the various commitments have been made to the workers of Clondalkin Paper Mills in the past 12 months during the course of two general elections and a by-election, commitments made by Deputies from all parties and by the outgoing Government. The workers were under the impression that the outgoing Government had taken the mills into public ownership until two days before the Government left office. I should like to know the outstanding issues which prevented the outgoing Government from fulfilling a Government commitment to the workers.
As the Deputy may be aware, the previous Coalition Government had this matter before them. They were under some pressure to nationalise the Clondalkin Paper Mills but they did not make any such decision despite the pressure they were under at that time. In recent days I met a delegation arranged by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions who expressed their concern in the matter. I indicated to them, as I have indicated to the Deputy, that the incoming Government must consider the matter in the light of all the circumstances and come to a decision. I realise that the workers concerned have been waiting quite a time for a definitive answer on a matter which undoubtedly is of concern to their future and the future of their families. I appreciate that delay in this matter should be as minimal as possible and I will use all my endeavours to have this matter brought to Government and decided on at an early date. However, I think the Deputy will appreciate that the implications are not minor. They are far-reaching and continuing and the Government must make a very careful decision on this matter in the light of all the circumstances.
I should like to know about the outstanding issues. Were they financial problems or other problems?
This is the point I was pursued on at some length by the delegation from Congress. I had to explain to them that there are outstanding legal problems but I also explained that the Government would have to consider the entire matter in their deliberations, the financial, commercial, strategic and economic implications of the acquisition. I appreciate the efforts made by the workforce and their representatives in this area but the Government have a wider responsibility to consider also.
The remaining Questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.