asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the amount of State investment in a firm (name supplied); if he is aware that this industry is now on short time and that grave unemployment exists in the Banagher area; why this is so; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offaly Industry.
49.
It appears from the published reports of An Foras Tionscal that a grant of £130,000 was approved for the firm in question of which £120,000 was paid up to 31st March, 1965. As indicated by the Minister for Finance in reply to a question on 23rd February, 1966, a loan of £96,600 has been made to the firm by Taiscí Stáit Teo. I have no function in regard to loans provided by the Industrial Credit Company Ltd.
I am not aware that the industry is on short time. I am informed that as this is the seasonal slack time for the industry, the number of workers employed is much lower than at peak periods.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary give a guarantee that the staff already employed in this industry will be retained? Further, can he give a guarantee to the vegetable growers in the district that the market which was promised on the establishment of this industry, near Banagher, will continue?
That supplementary beats Banagher.
May I ask, in all seriousness—because this is a matter of grave concern to the workers in the industry who are now unemployed—if these workers will be reinstated with the least possible delay? May I also take it that the landowners in the area who have been growing peas and other vegetables will continue to produce the vegetables that——
This is not a question.
When the Deputy wants an answer to those questions he can ask them.
I am asking them.
Ask them some other time. I have not got the slightest intention of answering them now.
That is all I want to know.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 50.
I will tell the people that £130,000 is being provided by the State and the Parliamentary Secretary will not give them an answer.
I have called Question No. 50.
May I raise this question on the Adjournment? I am asking the Chair——
That is another matter. The Deputy is giving me notice of that.
Perhaps the Chair will consider that?