asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to the possible closure of a firm in Tipperary (name supplied), a concern which plays an important part in the economic life of Tipperary town; what means he has at his disposal to attempt to avert closures of this sort; if he will endeavour to prevent the closure of this concern; the number of employees already dismissed from this concern who if they had been employed there on 1st January, 1968 would have qualified for redundancy benefit on subsequent dismissal; and if he can take steps to ensure their reinstatement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Closing of Tipperary Firm.
29.
I am aware of the position in the case of the concern in question. Decisions regarding the operations of individual industrial concerns are entirely a matter for the principals of those concerns and there is no way in which I can compel private interests to continue in business if they consider that it is not commercially feasible for them to do so. The question of the number of employees of the concern eligible for redundancy benefit is one for the Minister for Labour. I understand, however, that none of the employees dismissed during 1967 would have qualified for benefit under the Redundancy Payments Act if they had been employed on 1st January, 1968.