Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Oct 1989

Vol. 392 No. 3

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Meat Company Projects.

16.

Tomás Mac Giolla

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, in respect of his replies to parliamentary questions of 24 June 1987 (details supplied) regarding plans by Goodman International Limited for the development of existing processing facilities at Waterford, Dublin, Muine Bheag, Nenagh and Cahir, and the establishment of four new processing facilities, including two at Tuam and Ardee, the progress which has been made in implementing these proposals; the grants, if any, which have been paid in respect of these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

52.

Mr. Connaughton

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress, if any, which has been achieved since the Government announced the Goodman food processing package; the number of jobs which have been created; if the IDA are satisfied with progress to date; if the original jobs target was renegotiated; when the meat project will commence in Tuam, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 52 together.

I understand that the establishment of a meat processing plant at Tuam has been held up as a result of difficulties regarding the disposal of effluent from the proposed new plant. This is of course a matter for resolution between Goodman International and Galway County Council. With regard to the other projects proposed under the Goodman development plan, work has not yet commenced and no grants have been paid in respect of any of the projects. The phasing of the work on these projects is of course primarily a matter for the company. There has been no renegotiation of the job targets envisaged in the agreement with the IDA.

Mr. Connaughton

I am extremely unhappy with the Minister of State's reply because I had understood we would find out today whether the Goodman project was going to start in Tuam. Bearing in mind the great splash of publicity in which the Taoiseach, the Minister and the Minister of State engaged in on the day this huge food processing venture was announced, is the Minister of State now telling the House that two years later not a single job has been created and not a single penny has been drawn down from the IDA, in other words that it has been a non-event——

Mr. Connor

That is exactly what he said.

Mr. Connaughton

Is it official Government policy that there is no replacement factory for the old sugar factory in Tuam despite all the Government promises? Is that what we are being told on the Floor of the House today?

An Ceann Comhairle

I think the Deputy has made his point.

Mr. Connaughton

I had tried to get that information. However, the Minister of State appears to be saying that there is only a problem with effluent. That could not be further from the truth, as he knows.

An Ceann Comhairle

I am anxious to dispose of the remaining questions but I may not be able to do so.

Mr. Walsh

As I have said, the commencement of work on this specific project is in the first instance a matter for Goodman International——

Mr. Connaughton

Would you ask when they are coming?

Mr. Walsh

The company have of course to comply with the planning and effluent disposal regulations and I am sure the Deputy would not wish that the company would disregard this very important matter. It is primarily a matter for Goodman International and Galway County Council to resolve the difficulties which they have had in relation to this matter.

Mr. Connaughton

In other words the Government are washing their hands of it and there is no replacement factory for Tuam.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is the end of questions for today.

Mr. Connaughton

Would you allow the Minister to answer that question briefly?

An Ceann Comhairle

The time is up for questions.

Mr. Connaughton

May I raise the matter on the Adjournment?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is too late now.

Mr. Connaughton

You have been telling me all week, Sir, that I cannot raise the beef matter. I am being caught every way. This is a most important question.

An Ceann Comhairle

I had sought the co-operation of Deputies but it was not forthcoming.