asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that Messrs. Governey's Boot Factory, Carlow, is working short time; and, if so, whether he will state the cause.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Carlow Boot Factory.
I am aware that the factory to which the Deputy refers has been working on short time and I have been informed that this is due to a reduction in orders for its products.
I am of opinion that the difficulties footwear manufacturers are experiencing arise mainly out of the fact that the capacity of the industry, working full time, is more than sufficient to meet domestic requirements. At a meeting which representatives of the footwear industry had with me recently, they agreed, on my suggestion, to consider immediately among themselves the steps which might be taken to create an additional demand by more efficient and attractive production and by the building up of an export trade and I promised sympathetic consideration to any scheme put forward by them. So far as competition from imports is concerned, I took steps as from the middle of 1948 to curtail imports and I am satisfied that the current rate of imports, which is negligible, is not a factor contributing to the difficulties of the industry.