andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any proposals have been received for the setting up of an industry in the Burtonport area, County Donegal; and, if so, if he will indicate the nature of the proposals; and whether it is proposed to make available any allocation in the nature of a grant and/or loan from State funds.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Burtonport Industry.
42.
I am aware of certain industrial proposals in relation to the Burtonport area which are being sponsored by private interests. At this stage, I am unable to make any further statement about them.
Is it a fact that there is a proposal to set up a manufacturing concern in the Burtonport area and that the people who have made this proposal were responsible within the last fortnight for sacking 980 workers in the Six Counties, and will the Government make State grants available to such a concern after the way they treated the workers in the Six Counties?
There is no truth in the Deputy's suggestion that any of the concerns interested in the manufacturing process in Burtonport have sacked anybody in any other part of the country.
Is it not a fact that over 980 workers have been sacked in the Six Counties by a group known as Birmingham Sound Reproducers?
That group has no interests in the Burtonport area.
Is it not a fact that one of the individuals concerned is also associated with the concern in the Burtonport area?
As far as I am aware, that is not so. The particulars I have got have no relation whatever to the group operating in Derry.
Will the Minister make further inquiries?
I do not think that is necessary.
Can we take it from the Minister's reply and the Taoiseach's undertaking that we would not do anything which would be at all detrimental to the Government of Northern Ireland in the economic sphere, that this Dr. McDonald, who sacked nearly 900 of our fellow-countrymen in Northern Ireland and gave them 10 minutes' notice, will get no help, assistance or encouragement to set up any industry in the Republic?
It is a matter for An Foras Tionscal to examine each application on its merits.
Or is the Taoiseach talking through his hat again as usual?
He is not painted red.