asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his Department is making any effort to induce the Cement Marketing Company to reopen their works at Wexford; if he is aware that consignments of cement were leaving the works daily by rail until the railway siding there was broken, and if he can say who is responsible for the repair of this siding.
CEISTEANNA.—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - REOPENING OF WEXFORD CEMENT WORKS.
Various Government Departments have, during the past few years, continually taken such action as they could to secure a market for the cement produced in the Drinagh Cement Works, and these efforts have achieved a considerable measure of success. At present, I understand, the works are closed, while accumulated stocks are being disposed of, when I presume, the works will be re-opened. The siding referred to is, according to my information, the property of the Cement Company and will no doubt be repaired when the Company requires the siding for orders received.
Is the Minister aware that it is apparent that the Cement Works require the siding at the moment; that up to the time the sleepers were broken, cement was being removed daily and that now it has stopped; is he aware that there has been a conference between the Railway Company and the Cement Company with a view to finding out who is responsible for the repair of the line, and if not, will he make inquires into the matter? I would also like to ask the Minister if he is aware that the Dublin Corporation were taking a certain amount of this product up to the time the Commissioners were appointed and that since then the supply has ceased?
Is the Minister aware that cement supplied by the same Company from its Northern Ireland works is coming into this city for houses which are receiving the Government subsidy?
With regard to what Deputy Corish has asked, supplementary to his original question, if the Cement Company require the immediate use of the siding, which, according to the best of my information, is their property, it is up to them to repair the siding and make use of it. I am not aware as to the conference between the Railway Company and the Cement Company on the question of ownership. To the best of my information, the siding is the property of the Cement Company. I understand that, prior to the advent of the Dublin Commissioners, cement was taken from the Drinagh Cement Works, when the Drinagh Cement Company had not sent in the lowest tender. I personally endeavoured to secure a further contract for the Drinagh Cement Company, even though the same circumstances obtained. I cannot say whether or not that contract was given to them. I have no information on the point raised by Deputy Johnson.
Does the Minister remember that, in connection with this matter some time ago, he promised that his Department would make inquires as to whether there was dumping from Belgium and France of cement into this country? I would like to know the result of that inquiry.
This is a point which Deputy Corish has raised by way of Parliamentary Question and in the course of debate here and it is very difficult for me to state whether or not there was any promise made as to making inquiries into allegations of dumping. I have always said, in reply to that, that there was no definition of what "dumping" was and, while inquires were made, I cannot state for the satisfaction of the Deputy whether or not there is proof of "dumping" because, his idea of what "dumping" means and my idea of what it means may be quite different.
Would the Minister consider the advisability of taking the matter up with the Cement Marketing Company, with a view to the holding of another conference? I think the Minister will admit that matters have charged considerably in this connection since the amalgamation of railways was brought about. He will remember that on the last occasion that we discussed this matter, there was a question of the cement passing over two lines, with consequent transfer and other charges, which militated against the best interests of the Cement Company. Would the Minister not think that this would be an opportune time for the holding of a conference, with a view to having the Cement Works opened and providing employment for the 60 men there?
The reduction of the terminal charges is one of the economies to be looked for under the amalgamation scheme. I will consider the suggestion as to a further conference.
Would the Minister consult with the Minister for Local Government and the Minister for Finance with regard to contracts for housing material, such as cement, coming from outside the Saorstát, when the works belonging to the same company, within the Saorstát, are closed down?