Michael Bell
Question:32 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he accepts the findings of the Small Firms Association report indicating that the linkage programme has failed to garner the hoped for increase in the subcontracting of orders to Irish suppliers and manufacturers by multinational companies as opposed to such multinationals importing the materials and subassemblies on a large scale; if he will outline the plans which are in place, or being formulated, to continue to promote import substitution, in view of the job creation potential it has, particularly considering the recent abolition of the Irish Goods Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.