asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that almost the entire staff of the Slane Brick Company have lost their employment, and what steps it is proposed to take to ensure continuous employment at the company's works at Grangegeeth, Slane, County Meath.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Slane Brick Company Employees.
I am aware of this company's difficulties but, as I made it clear on the occasion of a previous question by the Deputy on the 24th November, 1954, very substantial protection has been provided by means of a tariff of 75 per cent. (50 per cent. preferential) for the industry, and duty-free import facilities are not given for the type of goods in question. There is no further action open to me as Minister for Industry and Commerce which would help this company. Their problem appears to arise from the fact that the overall productive capacity exceeds the immediate requirements of the market. I understand that technical advances have tended to lessen the utilisation of these goods in drainage work on agricultural land.
Is the Minister aware that a totally erroneous article appeared in the Sunday Press some weeks ago and that is probably what is agitating Deputy Hilliard?
That is a separate matter.
Arising out of the statement made by Deputy Donegan, there is a motive imputed to me in putting down this question. I think that should be withdrawn.
Everybody has a motive in doing things. There is a motive underlying everything.
A question is put down, as I understand it, according to the Rules of Procedure in order to elicit information and not for any other reason. Deputy Donegan imputes a motive to me. That motive is wholly unfounded in fact. It is not true.
There is no personal reflection on the Deputy in putting down a question, even if he was inspired by a newspaper.
Has the Minister communicated with the Minister for Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture in connection with the utilisation of the type of drainage pipes made by this industry in order to ascertain if there is a possibility of a greater demand developing?
I wonder would the Minister inquire from the Minister for Agriculture if there is a hold-up in orders for these drain pipes because of the fact that grants under the land project are not being paid fast enough to the applicants?
That is an entirely separate matter.
I understand that the organisation representative of these particular firms has had discussions with the Department of Agriculture as to the future market for land drain pipes but, as I explained, there is nothing more I can do in the matter. These firms have the entire industry to themselves. There is a tariff of 75 per cent. against imports—50 per cent. preferential. No duty-free licences are issued and the question of concern to the industry at the moment is to create, within the country, a demand for these land drain pipes. I do not undertake land project works. That is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture and the other questions, therefore, will have to be addressed to him.
I understand this company and a number of other companies were given an undertaking that their article would be utilised and, on that basis, they were induced to set up the plants that are at present in difficulties. In the light of that, I wonder would a conference between the Department of Industry and Commerce and the Department of Agriculture achieve some purpose? Officials might be in a position then to examine the future of this particular industry.
I know that allegation has been made, but it was made before my time in the Department of Industry and Commerce. I am bound to say that it is also contested that there is any accuracy in the allegation.