asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to reports which indicate that Salts Ireland Ltd., Tullamore, County Offaly, is to be taken over by Sunbeam Wolsey Ltd.; whether his Department have been approached in any way in connection with this proposed takeover; and if he will give an assurance that the change of ownership will in no way have an adverse effect on the workers employed in the firm, who are recruited from a large area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Takeover of Tullamore Factory.
23.
As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a question on 29th April, 1965.
As regards the second part, I cannot, of course, give any assurances but I am confident that the new owners will be as solicitous about employment in the area as were the previous owners.
I have been inundated with inquiries from that area. There seems to be grave anxiety among the people there that the employment position will be seriously impaired. Rightly or wrongly, they have it in their minds that the Department might allow yarn to be imported and that might have a detrimental effect on employment. That has been suggested to me anyway.
I do not think there is any ground for that.