asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the initiatives he proposes in relation to the State's withdrawing, wholly or in part, from industrial activity which can be undertaken more cost-effectively through other ownership forms.
Written Answers. - Industrial Activity.
34.
I have no plans to dispose of part or all of the commercial State bodies under my control.
However, the Deputy will be aware of the joint venture which commenced last October between Nítrigin Éireann Teoranta and ICI. This involved the transfer of certain NET assets and properties, as well as assets of the ICI subsidiary, Richardsons Fertilisers Ltd., Belfast, to a new company, Irish Fertilizer Industries Ltd., in which NET holds a majority share. The ownership of NET which is a 100 per cent State owned company remains unchanged.
As regards Irish Steel Ltd., I share the company's conviction that it could gain a substantial advantage from an association with an external partner possessing complementary attributes. The company has been searching for such a partner for a number of years.