Vol. 405 No. 1
78 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps which are being taken to have our country's requirement of gas cylinders manufactured in this country in view of the fact that Ireland imported in excess of £3 million worth in 1990.
I understand that imports of gas cyclinders during 1990 were exceptional due to the setting up of a new distribution company. It seems doubtful whether normal domestic demand alone would be adequate to justify the large capital investment needed to enable an Irish company produce standard gas cylinders for the Irish market in competition with existing European scale producers. The IDA would be prepared, however, to assist the establishment of an undertaking for the manufacture of gas cylinders here provided that they were satisfied, having regard to the proposed markets, that such an undertaking would be economically viable.
