asked the Minister for the Environment if he indicated to the Construction Industry Federation some weeks ago that he would ensure that the Government would not adversely affect the construction industry.
380.
Written Answers. - Construction Industry.
379.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give details of his discussions with the Construction Industry Federation some weeks ago; and if he will outline the commitments, if any, given to the federation.
381.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make a statement on the action the Government propose to take to assist the construction industry in view of the concern being expressed by the industry at present.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 379,380 and 381 together.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 29 of 27 January last in which I indicated, among other things, that on the basis of recent trends in public and private sector investment in building activity, and given the general state of the economy and the limitations on public expenditure generally, it was inevitable that the path to an upswing in the industry must come mainly through increased private sector investment. In that reply I detailed matters which had been discussed at the meeting which the Minister of State and I had with representatives of the building industry on 17 January and the action proposed to be taken to assist the industry. I also said at that meeting that I was not in a position to indicate at that stage what level of Government support for the industry would be available in 1983 since this had to do with budgetary consideration.