andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether Ireland is represented at the ideal home exhibition which is taking place in the Olympia Exhibition Hall, London; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Representation at London Exhibition.
29.
The answer to the first part of the question is "no".
Irish exporting firms have not shown any interest in the organisation of a national exhibit at the ideal homes exhibition. It is likely that potential Irish exhibitors could expect a better return from money expended through participation in a fair devoted to a specific industry rather than in a general fair of this kind.
Is the Minister aware that a limited company with an Irish title was exhibiting French products at this Ideal Homes Exhibition and will he say under what auspices any company with an Irish title is entitled to exhibit on behalf of another country ?
I have no knowledge of what the Deputy is referring to but if he gives me the information I shall have it looked into. I do not know that I have power to stop people exhibiting goods anywhere they like.
But if a subsidiary company which gets State grants proceeds to exhibit products and describes them as French products does the Minister not think he has some right to interfere at that stage wih regard to safeguarding Irish products?
That is a hypothetical question.
There is a very wide area there.
The Minister said that he had no knowledge of this. Does he not read the papers?
I do not have time to read the papers. I am too busy in my Department.
Question No. 30.
Is the Minister aware that Potez Limited exhibited in this particular show in London and the goods they exhibited were described as French products?
The Potez Company have invested a considerable amount of money in manufacturing here but they have not reached the production stage and therefore they would not have Irish goods to show.
Do they exhibit as an Irish company and describe the products as French?
The Deputy obviously wants to torpedo it.
How could you torpedo an aeroplane?
There are more than aeroplanes involved.