asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the total amount of grants paid for factory extensions or committed for payment to fertiliser manufacturers; and the amount of such grants paid to Nítrigin Éireann Teoranta.
99.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Grants to Fertiliser Manufacturers.
98.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what preferential treatment by way of financial aid is given to Nítrigin Éireann Teoranta as compared with other fertiliser manufacturers.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 99 together.
An Foras Tionscal have entered into the following commitments in respect of adaptation grants to fertiliser manufacturers: (a) Gouldings Fertilisers (Dublin) Ltd., £250,000. A payment of £158,000 in respect of this grant is shown in the Annual Report of An Foras Tionscal for the year ended 31st March, 1966. (b) Albatross Fertilisers Ltd., £250,000.
No grant commitments have been entered into by An Foras Tionscal for the production of fertilisers by Nítrigin Éireann Teo.
The financial contribution made by the State to the establishment of Nítrigin Éireann Teo. was the provision of capital of £6 million by way of interest-bearing repayable advances.
Would the Minister say if there is any connection between the companies at present selling fertiliser in this country? There is an allegation that there is co-ordination between them, that they are not competing with one another and that, at the same time, they are drawing grants from the Exchequer. Would the Minister consider making a report as to whether they are in competition or not?
I would not like to comment on what the Deputy has said; I do not know.
We are giving grants to these people. They fix the price and they have the farming community at their mercy. If it is found that the allegations are untrue, we can apologise to them.
I do not think it is fair to say that they have the farming community at their mercy.