With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 48, 49 and 50 together.
The total amount paid to date from Irish sources to Potez Aerospace Ltd., is £405,000. All of this sum has been paid to the company by An Foras Tionscal out of a grant of £463,000 approved for the project. A sum of £914,000 has been invested by Taiscí Stáit in Aviation Development Ltd., an associated Company. Potez Aerospace Ltd. is responsible for the manufacture of aircraft and parts and Aviation Development Ltd. for design and development work.
It is not the practice to give information regarding actual employment in individual firms but it is no secret that the employment given at present is not substantial.
The possibility of eventual employment for 1,700 people was mentioned in newspaper publicity regarding the project. I am not in a position to say when employment may be expanded or to what extent.
I am informed that, as is usual in the aircraft industry, Potez Aerospace Ltd. have commenced with the manufacture of parts. They have made parts for ailerons, flaps, tail units and wings; they have assembled ailerons and flaps and are now assembling tail units and wings.
I am not yet in a position to make a statement regarding the production of aeroplanes at Baldonnel or a general statement on the project but I can assure the Deputies that the Industrial Development Authority are in constant touch with the interests concerned.