asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the elements of the task force report for Cork which were implemented; and the success rate.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Cork Task Force Report.
10.
The detailed Action Plan for Cork announced by Minister Bruton on 11 May 1984 gave details of the Government's response to the Cork Task Force report.
The plan had two main elements: (1) an immediate and substantial capital injection for infrastructural work in the greater Cork area, and (2) long term development measures designed to secure the future of the greater Cork area as a prime location for industry.
In so far as industrial development is concerned, the action plan initiatives are being progressively implemented. The Ministers for Finance and Communications are currently preparing regulations to give effect to the establishment of a freeport at Ringaskiddy. A number of industrial estates in the greater Cork area were designated for higher grant purposes in November 1984, for a three year period. Major marketing programmes by the IDA to the United States, Europe and the Far East in relation to Ringaskiddy are continuing. An enterprise centre has been established in Cork city which will, inter alia, provide accommodation for a microelectronics design centre. The IDA are negotiating with a European company to establish in the design centre.
The IDA and Cork Corporation are actively considering proposals for the joint development of a 130 acre international services park at the Model Farm Road in order to maximise its potential for industrial development. Funds have been allocated to the IDA for site development in 1986.
The IDA are promoting the food city concept in Midleton and a number of projects have been approved for location there.
While it is not possible at this point to quantify the success of the measures taken, these facilities and initiatives have greatly enhanced the attractiveness of the greater Cork area as a location for industry. In the period November 1983 to November 1985, 1,962 new manufacturing jobs were created in the greater Cork area. In the same period the IDA approved grant assistance for projects in the area with a long term potential of 3,467 jobs many of which have yet to come on stream.
That was a lengthy reply to my question. Rather than incurring the wrath of the Chair by rising to ask several separate questions to elicit further information from the Minister, I will pose a few questions all together for answer, if that is agreeable? The first is: why was the report of the task force never published? What details are in the report that are preventing it from being published? That is one of the important questions I want answered. Also can the Minister tell me what progress has been achieved in regard to the enterprise centre? How many units in it are taken up? What progress has been made on the design centre? It is fine to mention all those things——
Ask a question.
That was my point initially. I have so many questions to ask on that reply that I am trying to put them all together rather than hopping up and down.
If the Deputy has six questions and six preambles we will get nowhere.
The importance of that question cannot be overstressed for us in the Cork area, particularly the elements of the task force report that we have not yet got. In view of the decision to disallow part of my question in accordance with Standing Orders, because it was a repeat of Question No. 38 on 11 February 1986, and in view of the reply that the then Minister, Deputy Bruton, gave when he indicated that 510 new jobs in the Cork area——
The Deputy must ask a question.
I am asking a question.
It does not sound like it.
There is a difference between the reply of the Minister now about the number of jobs in the Cork area and what was said on 11 February. The reply in February indicated that a promotional campaign was to be undertaken shortly in the Far East in conjunction with the Cork Harbour. Has this campaign begun and, if so, what success has it achieved? When are the other elements of the task force report from Cork to be made public?
(Limerick East): It is difficult to know where to start. I suppose I could follow the procedure adopted by the Deputy by, since he asked a series of questions, giving a series of answers. The Free Ports Act of 1986 became law in March 1986 and the regulations are being put together now. On the question of designation, ministerial orders designating small industrial sites at Hollyhill, Churchfield and Togher Industrial Estate at Ringaskiddy were signed in 1984. This allowed a maximum capital grant rate of 50 per cent to apply for medium and large industry and 60 per cent will be available for other industrial estates in the small industries projects.
On the question of marketing, marketing programmes in regard to the United States, Europe and the Far East have been completed. Obviously, if any concrete proposals arise from those, that will be of great benefit to the Ringaskiddy area. On the food processing area I referred to in the previous question, Hanson's Laboratory from Copenhagen have been approved by the IDA for a cheese project. The company have purchased a building in Little Island and hope to be in production in 1986. There is a new initiative with University College, Cork and An Foras Talúntais. The Deputy is also aware of what is happening in Midleton where Erin Foods will have an involvement and jobs will be provided in the KMP food co-operative meat processing plant, with 100 jobs approved; Midleton Food Products have approval for jobs as have Emerald Seafoods. So, there is quite a significant amount happening there as well.
Are they all part of the task force report?
The infrastructure was put in and the higher level of grants is now available on account of the new designation in the area and we can report reasonable progress.
Will the Minister confirm that, of everything in the report of the task force, two elements are taken on board by the Government? The infrastructure referred to by the Minister is not new to the task force. That plan has been there since the mid-seventies. The question refers to the elements of the task force report for Cork which were implemented and the success rate to date. The Minister mentioned the free port, but why is implementation of that taking so long to achieve? This was suggested by the task force in 1984 and, if the immediacy and urgency of this section was then established, why has it taken so long to become effective because it is not yet effective? Secondly, is the area of Mayfield in Cork to be included in the designated areas for a higher rate of grant?
I have answered in great detail the question asked. The matter which the Deputy is now raising either is not in the original question, or does not apply to my Department.
What is being covered up by the non-publication of the task force report of 1984? What is the reason for the Cork people not having had sight of this report and what have the Government to be ashamed or afraid of? Secondly, the task force recommended the setting up of free port legislation and this legislation was passed through this House in March of this year.
A question, please.
The regulations governing the free port have not yet been formulated, nor have the draft regulations been submitted.
That is not a question, Deputy.
Why should not those draft regulations be prepared simultaneously with the passing of the legislation through the House, in order to obviate the delay which has now taken place? Lastly, during the period mentioned by the Minister with regard to the number of manufacturing jobs created in the Cork area — I think between 1983 and 1986 — would he tell the House, during the corresponding period, how many manufacturing and productive jobs were lost to the Cork area? Three fast and sharp replies are all that I need, Sir.
They were not very fast and sharp questions. First, the task force reports advice to the Government, and the Government are responsible for policy. The Government have implemented the policy, which has proved to be of great benefit to Cork.
Nobody believes that.
The Deputy knows quite well from his long experience as a Minister that, when primary legislation is prepared and implemented, regulations follow. It would be highly unusual to do these things simultaneously. I understand that the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Communications are currently preparing the regulations and that there is no inhibition on any major proposal going into the Ringaskiddy area due to the lack of regulations which will, anyhow, be published very shortly. I should like to repeat my reply to a supplementary on Question No. 1 in respect to the Deputy's third point. Many of the difficulties in Cork, as in other parts of the country, were due to the ridiculous policies followed by the Government in which he participated.
For goodness sake.
These led us into a period which coincided with the recession up to 1985, which left the country with its national pants down around its ankles.
I think the Minister is in the Department for too short a while. He ran from the last Department. The answer given will not be satisfactory to the people of Cork.