asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has noted a slowing down in the normal annual increase in the numbers employed in the transportable goods industries as shown in the most recent figures published; and what new steps he will now take to absorb the numbers coming forward from the normal annual decrease in agricultural employment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Employment.
79.
I have noted that the increase in employment in transportable goods industries between March, 1964, and March, 1965, was not as high as in previous periods. The means by which it is proposed to absorb the numbers coming forward from the agricultural employment are set out in the Second Programme for Economic Expansion. In so far as the industrial sector is concerned, the campaign for the attraction of new industries and the programme of adaptation and expansion of existing enterprises are being, and will continue to be, pressed forward with vigour.
But there are no new measures to meet the new crisis about which the Government are talking at the moment. There are the old measures but there are no new measures.
What crisis is the Deputy talking about?
The new crisis in relation to the balance of payments.
The Government have indicated certain unwelcome trends in relation to which they propose to take action in the future.
But at the moment there is no danger of bloodletting and no need for a transfusion.
There is no crisis.
No crisis?
No.