asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement on the paper production industry in Ireland indicating the number of units engaged in paper production and their location; and if he will give details of the prospects for increasing production of paper and the industry generally.
Written Answers. - Paper Production Industry.
141.
There are two paper making facilities in the country, both of which are located in Dublin. Only one of these is engaged in paper production at present. The other company, Leinster Paper Mills Ltd., is in receivership.
The prospects for increasing paper production, in the short-term, depend on the receiver securing a suitable buyer for Leinster Paper Mills. In a recent announcement the receiver indicated that while a deal involving the sale of the mills to a Canadian concern had fallen through, he was pursuing a number of inquiries from other North American companies who have expressed interest in the mills.
From the early nineties additional supplies of pulpwood will come on stream and consequently the scope of establishing a new pulpwood using industry at that time is now being looked at.