(An Clár) asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether his Department has yet considered the proposition put forward in respect of the starting of a cement factory at Clare Castle, County Clare, and if he will state at what stage that consideration now is, and when a decision is likely to be reached.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Proposal re Cement Factory at Clare Castle.
Pádraig O hOgáin
I have received a copy of a printed statement issued by the Fergus Reclamation Syndicate, Limited, outlining in general terms a basis for a scheme for the erection of a cement factory on lands owned by that Syndicate, but have not been asked for any decision about it. There is nothing in the statement calling for a decision by me. The only matter which would be for consideration by my Department if the scheme were developed, is a suggestion that the Trade Loans Guarantee Acts might be used to finance the undertaking. No application for a guarantee under the Acts has as yet been received. It should be clearly understood that the Government has no intention of erecting a cement factory itself; its investigations are confined to ascertaining the conditions under which a reputable organisation having sufficient experience of cement manufacture and the necessary large financial resources would be prepared to build and operate a factory in whatever locality that organisation considered most suitable for the purpose.
Mr. Hogan
Would the Minister not think it proper to investigate the possibilities of establishing a cement factory in any suitable place? And as to the suitability of the deposits for that manufacture, would he give the assistance of his Department to any project of the kind?
The assistance of the Department is at the disposal of anybody who cares to investigate this matter. Certain investigations have already been made. The departmental investigation is mainly based on information supplied to it by organisations which seek to build a cement factory financed by themselves. We are not disposed to direct people to any particular locality.
Mr. Hogan
I am not saying that the Minister should direct people to any particular locality. What I am trying to do is to inquire whether the Minister's officials would be available to any organisation, whether it be a company or any other organisation, that would be anxious to have an industry started, whether they would be available to make the necessary investigations, analysis, and other things of the sort.
The Department's resources and experts are at the disposal of anybody who cares to avail of them, but the Department cannot give expert advice on that matter.