Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 6

Written Answers. - Masonite Manufacturing Plant.

Declan Bree

Question:

171 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the extent to which his Department co-operated with other Government Departments in furthering the development of the proposed Masonite Fibre Board Manufacturing Plant at Drumsna, County Leitrim; the normal level of co-operation and co-ordination between Government Departments and statutory authorities in respect of the development of such major industries in the country; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in the week ending 9 June 1995, one Government Department expressed its opposition to the proposed location of the Masonite Manufacturing Plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11135/95]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

Firstly, I would like to point out that a distinction must be made between the State funding aspects of industrial development projects and the subsequent planning permission process. The grant recommended by Forbairt in this case required the approval of the Government. My Department examined the proposal and the matter was submitted to and received Government approval.

Government approval of the Forbairt investment in the Masonite project was subject to a number of conditions including conditions relating to environmental aspects. Such conditions are standard in Forbairt grant agreements. It was accepted, too, that an Environmental Impact Statement would be required by the planning authority and that the project would also require an Integrated Pollution Control Licence from Environmental Protection Agency. It was not, however, possible to be more precise at the time that the proposal was considered by the Government about the actual environmental issues until such time as the promoters set the planning process in train with the local planning authorities. They did this, in the normal way, once they had got the "green light" of grant approval.

My Department and the industrial development agencies have no statutory role in the planning process. However, Forbairt and Forfás did, in accordance with their usual practice, assist Masonite in discussions with the relevant authorities in the course of the participation of the company's planning application.

I am advised, too, that Forbairt, Environmental Services Department, Glasnevin was retained, by Masonite, as an independent consultant, to prepare the Environmental Impact Statement relating to the proposed development.

I am pleased to note that the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht has obtained the reassurances he required and has been able to withdraw his objections and I can assure the House that Forbairt will continue to provide all possible assistance in an effort that this important project can proceed without delay.