asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his Department have yet any definite period envisaged for carrying out the original programme of extension laid down by Irish Steel, Limited, at its inception and approved by him in 1938, namely, the construction of a rolling mill, a blooming mill, a sheet mill and a tin plate mill; and, if so, if he will state the approximate month and year when it is expected that (1) the sheet mill, (2) the tin plate mill, and (3) the blooming mill will be in production and if he can now fix any approximate year when the full plant will be in production.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Steel, Limited.
The board of Irish Steel Holdings, Limited, has had under consideration various extensions of its activities. Owing to current difficulties in securing adequate supplies of raw materials to keep the existing rolling mill in full production, and the probability of considerable delay in securing delivery of new equipment it is not possible to say when such extensions may prove to be practicable.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether he has considered any long-term scheme for ensuring that the raw materials required by Irish Steel, Limited, particularly scrap iron and steel, will be provided so that the industry may fulfil its function of keeping this country supplied with essential iron and steel in any emergency; and, if so, with what result.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether he has considered the establishment of a ship-breaking industry in connection with the provision of essential raw materials for Irish Steel, Limited; and, if so, with what result.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.
The supply of raw materials is a matter for the company, and I assume that they have this matter under constant consideration.
As regards the establishment of a ship-breaking industry, I would remind the Deputy that there is such an industry, adjacent to the steel works, at present being operated under private enterprise.