asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state why the Haulbowline Steel Mills have practically closed down after collecting large quantities of scrap iron; what amount of Government money has been granted or loaned to this company, and when it is anticipated that the mill will be in a position to produce horseshoe iron.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Haulbowline Steel Mills.
Operations in the Haulbowline Steel Rolling Mills have been limited up to the present to the rolling of iron and steel bars, etc., from billets. The quantity of billets available for processing during the present year was very limited, and when the supply of billets was exhausted rolling operations ceased.
Before wrought iron and steel scrap can be converted into rolled iron and steel goods it is necessary, as a preliminary step, to melt the scrap metal in furnaces. The existing plant and equipment at Haulbowline do not include furnaces, but efforts are being made to procure, the necessary materials for the construction of furnaces. It is not possible to say, at this stage, when the furnaces will be completed or whether the necessary materials will, in fact, be available under present conditions.
Certain limited quantities of billets may be available from time to time, and when arrangements are being made for the rolling of bars, etc., from such billets consideration will be given to the possibility of making quantities of shoeing iron available to farriers.
The Government has not granted or loaned any moneys to the company. I have, however, given a guarantee as to principal and interest under the Trade Loans (Guarantee) Act, 1939, in respect of a sum of £200,000.
Is the Minister aware that in some parts of the country there is great difficulty in getting horse-shoeing iron and, in the circumstances, would it not be advisable to make every effort to procure the parts that are required?
The Deputy may be assured that every effort has been and will be made to procure the equipment necessary to enable the Haulbowline Mills to work the scrap metal.
I hope it will be done as quickly as possible.