Yesterday I stated it was my intention to give on this Estimate a general review of the work done by the Department of Industry and Commerce in the past year, and also of the work which it is now doing and hopes to do in the coming year. The Department of Industry and Commerce has many activities and covers many phases of the national life, but its most important work at the present time consists in the development of industries and it is in relation to that aspect that I would like, first of all, to inform the Dáil of the progress made and of the additional progress which we hope to make.
Deputies are aware that the development of industry has been proceeding here with considerable rapidity during the past couple of years. Previous to the change of Government, various measures designed to promote industrial development were adopted which, however, did not produce material results and, in fact, in some directions there was considerable retrogression. During the decade prior to the change of Government certain industries disappeared and other industries fell away considerably. I am glad to say that most of the arrears of development have been made good and a number, if not all, of the industries which disappeared in the previous decade have been revived and are now flourishing in the Saorstát.
Deputies on occasions take as the index of the progress of our industrial policy the number of new factories established, but that index is a misleading one because, of course, the greater part of the development that has taken place has been in the form of extended production of existing concerns. It is true that a number of new industries have been established, but the greater part of the progress made to date has taken the form of an extension of previously existing industries. For example, the flour milling industry is a very old one in this country, but, during the period prior to 1932, that industry got into considerable difficulties. A number of the flour mills were closed down and others of them found their production considerably decreasing. The position was reached in 1931 that, of the mills then in existence, most of them were working only to half their capacity, and roughly half of the country's requirements in flour was being imported.
The development of the flour milling industry was one of the first tasks to which we put our hand and I am glad to say that it has been very successful indeed. Not merely are all the mills that were working to half their capacity in 1931 now engaged to full capacity, but the capacity of a number of them has been extended by the installation of additional equipment. In addition, three of the mills that were closed down during the previous decade have been re-opened and are now working to full capacity and two new mills have been established. There is at the present time a sufficient flour milling capacity in the Saorstát to supply all the requirements in flour of the people of this State. From the 1st April in this year the importation of flour, other than for biscuit manufacture, ceased and, I hope, ceased finally. There are two new mills about to come into production, licences for an additional three have been promised and plans for their erection are, I understand, proceeding. When these new mills are in production, the flour milling capacity of the Saorstát concerns will be substantially in excess of the country's requirements and that is the situation that we aimed to achieve when, in July of 1932, this programme was embarked upon.
Another industry which received early attention, and the development of which has been remarkably rapid, has been the apparel industry, the industry concerned in the production of men's and women's outer garments, of under garments, shirts, hats, gloves and of children's garments. There were, of course, a number of concerns engaged in the production of these goods prior to 1932. All of them have increased their production considerably. In addition, according to the Factories and Workshops Register, there have been 72 additional manufacturing concerns established for the production of women's clothing; 29 new factories established for the production of men's outer clothing; ten new factories established for the manufacture of waterproof and leather clothing, and ten new factories producing shirts and collars. Associated with those industries there is the hosiery industry, an industry which has long been established in the Saorstát and which, in fact, has given a Saorstát place-name to a particular class of hosiery goods. The industry, however, was not very productive when we acquired the responsibility for dealing with industrial matters and by far the greater proportion of the hosiery goods used in this country was imported. Since then, however, substantial strides have been made. The production of hosiery goods of all kinds, manufactured from cotton, wool, and artificial silk, has increased very considerably and 25 new hosiery factories have been established since 1932.
The manufacture of sacks and bags of paper and of cloth is becoming an important industry in this country and, because of changes in trading habits generally, it is becoming an important industry in all countries. There have been seven new factories established for the manufacture of articles of that kind. The manufacture of yeast was protected in 1932 and, although there has been no new factory established, the production from the existing concerns has increased very considerably, with the result that they are now in a position to supply all the requirements of the country in bakers' yeast.
Another industry of considerable importance which existed for a long time in the Saorstát was the manufacture of furniture of various descriptions, household and industrial, of wood and metal. The development of that industry was also taken in hand in 1932 and the progress made has been quite considerable to date. A number of new concerns have been established and all the requirements of the country in furniture of all descriptions, whether of wood or metal, can now be supplied from these concerns.
In the year 1931 there was a very substantial importation of paints and varnish. With the contemplated development of the Government's housing programme and, consequently, a substantially increased demand for housing materials of all kinds, including paints and varnish, it was decided to endeavour to develop that industry at the beginning, so that the increased demand would be translated to employment in Irish factories. We were, I think, very successful in the development of that industry. The previously existing concerns, which were few in number, have all developed considerably and, in addition, nine new factories have been established in various parts of the Saorstát.
Another industry which is becoming of rapidly increasing importance in all countries, because of the changed methods of trading, is the production of cardboard boxes, containers and cartons, and the development of that industry in the Saorstát has been remarkably rapid. During the last couple of years ten new factories have been established and all classes of cartons, containers and cardboard boxes can now be supplied from these factories. I might draw particular attention to the cigarette cartons which, previous to last year, were imported. The establishment last year of three new factories for the production of cigarette cartons represented the final stage in the development of that industry, apart from containers such as cylindrical boxes and waxed-container factories for the production of which are being established but have not yet come into production.
Equally important is the production of boxes and containers of tin. At an early date an import duty on such containers was imposed, with the result that that industry has developed considerably, and tin boxes of all descriptions are now available from Saorstát factories. The same can be said of boxes in wood. The duty imposed on cases for the packing of eggs, which was a very substantial item in our import statistics in the past, has resulted in a widespread development and the establishment of a number of concerns all over the Saorstát for the production of these cases, and also for the production of other articles made from wood. The number of new saw-mills brought into production has been very considerable. There has also been a remarkable increase in the production of factory-made joinery. There is still a certain importation of joinery work, but I hope that that will disappear when the additional large-scale commercial joinery works which are now planned are constructed and come into operation.
We have frequently discussed here in the past the position with regard to boot and shoe development. The development of the boot and shoe industry was one of the most difficult tasks that fell to us. It is an industry that requires a high degree of skill on behalf of the operators. Skilled operatives were not available in the country. The practice in Great Britain and other countries is to require a five-years' apprenticeship from people proposing to engage in that industry. We were faced with the necessity of securing rapid development here, and, at the same time, training workers to the same degree of efficiency as in Great Britain in a much shorter period. In the year 1931, the Saorstát shoe and boot factories were supplying from 10 to 12 per cent. of the total requirements in boots and shoes in the Saorstát. This year the Saorstát factories will supply 75 per cent. of the boots and shoes required, and next year they will supply 100 per cent. There has been a considerable development in the equipment and production capacity of the firms that were in existence in 1931, and in addition eight new factories have been established. Added to those, four others are now being equipped and will commence operations in the near future. When they are in full production there will be no need to import any of the boots and shoes required here.
The production of bricks and tiles was also undertaken. Having regard to the housing programme, a substantial number of new brickworks have been opened in various places throughout the country. The number of concerns for the production of tiles of concrete is very considerable now. Fourteen new concerns were established for the production of chemicals, disinfectants, cosmetics and articles of that description, and the country's requirements of these goods can now be supplied from these concerns. The development of the brush and broom industry has been also considerable.
It is perhaps not generally appreciated that one of the most important industries in the country is the printing industry. At a very early stage we endeavoured to secure its development because of its importance, having regard to the nature of the employment it gives and to the value of the printed goods of all descriptions which had previously been imported. The development of that industry has been, I think, sufficient to eliminate completely unemployment from the skilled printing trade. A number of new concerns have been established, so that printing of all descriptions is being undertaken here, some of it of a very high class indeed, particularly the new colour printing which is being done in some of the newer factories and which experts have told me is far superior to work of the same description procurable in other countries.
A couple of new factories were established for the manufacture of buttons. In 1931, despite the tariffs in operation from 1925, there was still a substantial importation of soaps and candles. That importation has not been entirely eliminated, but it has fallen to insignificant proportions through the development of the existing soap and candle works here. There have been a number of new firms established for the production of canned fruits, canned meats, soups and articles of that description.
At a very early stage we were determined that the development of the hosiery industry would not take the form it had taken in other countries and which it was threatening to take here. That was the form of a mere making-up industry, taking knitted fabrics from other countries and fabricating them into hosiery goods here. Consequently, though there was no sign at the time of any considerable production of knitted fabrics taking place in this country, we imposed, in the first Budget in 1932, duties upon these fabrics. Licences to import were issued to a number of firms, but they were given due notice which extended from 18 to 24 months that in each case we would expect them to be in a position to produce their own knitted fabrics or else procure their requirements from firms in the country. In the last year, the issue of licences was terminated because we are satisfied that the new concerns established in that industry were sufficient to supply the immediate requirements of the country. The requirements of the country will, of course, increase as the hosiery industry itself develops, but there is no reason to anticipate that the development in the production of knitted fabrics will not keep pace with the requirements of the hosiery industry.
The production of woven fabrics is, of course, an old industry in this country, but that, like all others of the older industries, has also developed considerably. There is at the present time a very complete production sufficient to meet the requirements in linen fabrics, in certain classes of cotton fabrics and in most classes of woollen fabrics. In due course we hope to secure the establishment of the silk fabric industry, and the Executive Council has given notice of its intention to make a Reserved Commodity Order in respect of knitted art-silk fabrics, the purpose being to secure that the development of that industry will be directed towards the Western counties, but no such Order has yet been made.
The development of the confectionery industry is well known to Deputies. There was, in the year 1931, a substantial importation of confectionery goods, amounting to half a million pounds' worth. The development of the confectionery business by concerns here, for the production of confectionery, of flour, chocolate, and so on, have been sufficient to ensure that our full requirements are being met with from within the country.
There has also arisen out of our housing programme an increased necessity for foundry products, and it was decided to make a special effort within the country for the production of grates and ranges and other foundry goods in connection with housing, such as rain-pipe gutters and so on. There is still a not inconsiderable import of grates and ranges. The imports last year showed a small tendency to increase, but as the production of these goods here is rapidly developing, and with the new concerns that will arise in the course of the coming year and the increased production, these articles should disappear from our imports statistics. The fabrication of steel work for constructional purposes is also being established as an industry here. It is not possible for us, having regard to the size of our market, to produce the rolled steel required for constructional purposes, but there is no reason why the fabrication of that steel should not be done here. It was necessary occasionally to issue licences for the importation of fabricated steel where the type of work was not of a kind capable of being done in such Saorstát concerns as exist, or in special cases of urgency. The development, nevertheless, has been considerable, and some of the new buildings constructed with steel work entirely fabricated within the country, are a credit to the firms engaged in that industry.
In 1932 the old and formerly famous marble industry in the Saorstát had disappeared. None of the marble quarries in the Saorstát was in production then and we made a special effort to revive the industry. Up to date two marble quarries in Connemara have been re-opened and are in a position to take orders. With the changes we have effected in the duty this year, we hope to commence production in some of the other quarries, and I hope, in due course, the industry will recover some of its former importance.
The production of polishes of all kind is now sufficient to supply the demands of the country. A commencement was made in the manufacture of metal polish, which was not liable to duty formerly, but was made liable to duty by the Budget this year.
The manufacture of spades, forks and shovels and other agricultural implements has been undertaken, and a number of industries established in various parts of the country. The full requirements of the country for implements of that kind are met by those concerns.
The development of the boot and shoe industry made it possible to establish a number of other industries supplying that trade. The first of these tackled was the establishment of tanneries for sole and insole leather. And Although we are not yet in the position to supply all the requirements of the boot and shoe industry with leather of that description, nevertheless we are getting near to that position. With the establishment of the new tannery that is to be opened in the south-east corner of the country, and with the development of the tanneries in Limerick and elsewhere, and the new tannery established at Portlaw, I think we are well advanced and will shortly be to a position when we can close down all imports of sole and insole leather. I shall deal with other classes of leather later on. I am now dealing with industries that existed in the Saorstát prior to 1932, the development of which had not received the attention it should.
With regard to woollen and worsted tissues, its development creates the possibility of increasing the production of woollen and worsted yarns. Production of fingering yarns has been commenced by two firms. But because of the development of the weaving industry concerned, there has been an increase in the importation of woollen and worsted yarns, and although a number of the industries are now using their own, there is a lot to be done before Irish woollens and worsteds can be said to be 100 per cent. Irish.
Further, arising out of the housing programme, the production of slates for roofing purposes has received attention. Various exceptional measures were adopted to develop new quarries in various parts of the country. Grants for quarrying purposes were made, and these were expended for the purpose of clearing quarries by the removal of over-burden, or removing debris from quarries formerly worked, but since closed down, so that their new development could be proceeded with. We are not yet in a position to supply promptly all the slates required by house builders. There is still scope for development despite the fact that new quarries are being opened. Even when we get to the stage that we will be able to supply all our own demands, there is no reason why the industry should stop there, because there is unlimited demand for Irish slates in other countries where sometimes they command a higher price than those of other countries.
The development of the rope and cord industry is also proceeding, and a number of new concerns have been established in various parts of the country. The only substantial item in respect of these goods not produced is binder twine. But a commencement has been made this year. The full requirements will not be provided this year, but we are expecting that they will be next year.
I need not refer to the development of the sugar industry, for all Deputies are aware of that. The establishment of three new sugar factories has brought the production of sugar to a point very nearly up to all our requirements in this country.
So much for the development that has taken place in respect to industries which, to some extent, existed here previous to 1932. Apart, however, from the development indicated by the facts and figures I have given, a number of new industries, which never previously existed, have been created, and a number of industries which previously existed here but which disappeared before 1932, have been revived. The list of these industries is, I think, quite impressive. We commence with the production of aluminium hollow ware in Tipperary; vegetable oils and oil cake manufacture in Drogheda, and a large commercial pottery established at Arklow. There was a pottery in the South of Ireland engaged in the production of certain classes of pottery but that pottery was on a comparatively small scale. It has increased its production considerably, but the full requirements of the country in all classes of pottery goods will, it is hoped, be provided from the new concern at Arklow. The manufacture of suit cases, handbags and attache cases from fibre, and also similar goods of other descriptions, has been undertaken by a number of concerns. A new factory at Portarlington is producing fibre cases and handbags. The manufacture of dry electric batteries has been undertaken by a couple of concerns and the full requirements of the country are now being supplied by these firms.
At an early stage we decided that there was no good reason why bicycles which were imported into this country should be imported completely assembled. We did not at that time contemplate the development of a bicycle manufacturing industry, but by imposing a duty on assembled bicycles, a duty which did not apply to the unassembled parts, a number of firms were induced to go into the business of assembling bicycles. Quite a substantial little industry has been built up in consequence. We have now reached the stage at which we can give more detailed attention to the possibility of manufacturing parts of bicycles in the country. That is having attention at the present time. Two concerns were established for the manufacture of razor blades.
One of the most controversial matters upon which the Government entered was the development of the motor assembling industry. It is within the recollection of Deputies that none of the industrial plans of the Government met with fiercer opposition here in the Dáil than those designed to secure the development of the motor vehicle assembling industry. There were a number of prophets of disaster, a number of people who told us here that we were attempting the impossible and that there were physical, commercial, economic and financial reasons why that industry could never be established in the Saorstát. In fact, I recollect that when in the early part of 1933, before the general election of that year, a certain deputation went to the head office of Cumann na nGaedheal—it was Cumann na nGaedheal then—they were assured by the representatives whom they saw there—Deputy McGilligan and others— that all the tariffs which the Fianna Fáil Government had imposed would be kept on by the Cumann na nGaedheal Government that they expected was coming into office that year, except one and the one tariff they barred was that designed to secure the establishment of the motor assembling industry. Well, the industry is established. It is quite an important industry and it is giving employment to several hundred skilled adult workers. The products of the industry are equal in appearance and in quality to anything that was previously imported. The prices have not been increased and certain classes of cars are available here at prices lower than similar models may be procured in Britain. I do not think there is anybody in this House or outside it to-day who would seriously urge that our plans should be reversed so as to allow completely assembled cars in at the lower rates which obtained before this Government came into office.
