asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that the chairman of Salts (Ireland), Limited, at the fourth annual general meeting of the company stated that they had made urgent application to the British Board of Trade to permit the export to Eire of the carding and combing machinery necessary in order to process Irish wool at Tullamore, but that an export licence could not be obtained; and whether, in view of the great benefit this machinery would be to the Tullamore mills and to the farmers of the Midlands generally, he will make official representations to the Board of Trade authorities with a view to securing the release of this machinery from Great Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Carding and Combing Machinery.
I have seen the statement to which the Deputy refers. Representations were made on a number of occasions to the authorities in the United Kingdom with a view to securing the release for this country of carding and combing machinery. It was intimated in May last that the necessary licence for the export of the plant could not be granted. From the information at my disposal, I have no reason to believe that further representations would have a successful outcome.