asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state why the Birr Shoe Company has not received its quota of leather since last November, when the strike commenced; and if the quota has been sent to other factories, so as to ensure that boot production may not be affected as result of the failure to reach a settlement of the strike at the Birr factory.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leather Quota to Birr Factory.
There has been no alteration in the quota of leather allocated to the Birr Shoe Company and I am aware of no reason why the quota should not have been received by the company in recent months. The quota has not been diverted to other factories.
Does it not appear strange that a quota of leather is being provided for an industry which has not been in operation since 19th November last? Would it not be better if that leather had been diverted to some other boot factory, so that the production would be increased in other factories instead of having it lying idle, as at present? It could be converted into boots to relieve the severe shortage of footwear.
I understand that the company has been given its quota for the present quarter and, in any event, the quota is so small that it would make no appreciable difference in the output of other factories.