I thank the Minister for coming here to reply to this Adjournment matter. I hope this is the last occasion we will have cause to raise the issue of Irish Steel as I wish for a successful resolution from the Madrid summit and the meeting of Industry Ministers in Brussels next week. The charade had gone on long enough.
Those of us who have followed this saga in the House will have felt a grave sense of tension and worry as the matter dragged on following meetings where one thought it would have been satisfactorily settled. This led to disquiet at the intransigence shown by British Ministers and officials regarding the Irish case, which was put forward coherently. I felt all along that the British would use it to build tension in the wider framework of Anglo-Irish relations. It is a mark of how they look at Irish difficulties and problems in that one must constantly engage in a battle with the UK Government on every issue. One step forward is always followed by two steps back, not only in industrial and commercial issues but in political ones also. It is clear to both Government and Opposition in Ireland that it is a matter of some pride to the British if they are seen from time to time to act with obstinacy and obduracy regarding anything connected with Ireland.
I thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for allowing me to discuss this matter. As a guardian of our interests you have constantly afforded us an opportunity to discuss this important issue in the House. I raise it to assure the Minister of our support, which I have been vocal in offering. The British Government should know we speak with one voice on this matter, so that it will see the principle of divide and conquer is not operating.
The Minister commissioned a report so that he and the Taoiseach could present it as a case proven as to why the deal arranged with ISPAT for Irish Steel and the subsidy attendant upon that deal should be allowed to pass by Brussels and the Council of Industry Ministers, bearing in mind all the other countries agreed to it. We requested a copy of the report today and finally received it this evening, for which I thank the Minister. It is a simple but strongly worded report which bears out the point of view we all put forward, that the arrangement for Irish Steel would not in any way impinge upon the viability of either Scunthorpe or Shelton. The argument put forward by the British is that any productivity which affected the Scunthorpe plant could in turn affect Shelton. That has been proven to be incorrect.
As I said on the radio some time ago, Irish Steel is but a minnow in comparison with British Steel and in the European and world steel markets. The people of Cobh, the 350 workers in the plant — reduced from 550 — their families and children have all pulled together, made sacrifices and allowed the factory to become more streamlined and economically viable. It makes a good product and they look forward to the future with pride.
I urge the Minister to release this report to allow us publicly comment on it so that we can add our voices to the case being put forward and counter once and for all the spurious arguments raised by British Steel, which I strongly suspect is being encouraged by its Government. The Minister should condemn that argument and endorse the clear findings the report has produced. I encourage the Taoiseach and the Minister to be strong in their convictions when putting forward the case. The British arguments are tenuous to say the least and technically insupportable.
Irish Steel and its workforce should be congratulated on a job well done so far. Both the Taoiseach and his brother, the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, should stiffen their resolve in the face of intransigence, obstinacy and obduracy. The report ends by stating that Irish Steel's continued existence will have no impact on Shelton's viability.
