asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if the group of American industrialists and businessmen, who toured Kilkenny, Waterford and Shannon with a view to the development of industries, were advised by him of the potential for such development and of the facilities available in County Wexford.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Development of Industries.
42.
The group attended formal briefing sessions on Monday, 27th May at the Department of Industry and Commerce and at the Department of Finance. In the course of these sessions they were fully advised of the facilities available to industrialists and businessmen setting up sound industrial and commercial operations in the country generally, including County Wexford.
I am, I think, correct in assuming that these businessmen and industrialists came to this country as a result of the Minister's tour of the United States of America and is it not a fact that they went to places to which they were directed by the Minister and, for that reason, could he explain why County Wexford was not included in that tour by the group?
The Deputy is correct in assuming they came here as a result of an invitation from me on my last visit to the United States, although, lest there be any misunderstanding, they paid their own expenses. The Deputy is not correct in assuming the itinerary was suggested by me or anybody else here. They chose their own itinerary.
Question No. 43.
Surely, when a group of businessmen or industrialists come here, they would need specific advice and the person from whom they would expect to get that advice would be the Minister for Industry and Commerce, who, as the Minister acknowledges, was responsible for bringing them here; and, for that reason, can he indicate why County Wexford was not included in the itinerary?
Because they did not chose to include it in the itinerary. They had a short time available and they could not visit everywhere and they chose the areas they thought would be of greatest general interest to the members of the trade mission. There was nothing involved in the omission of County Wexford in the way of any animosity towards it. Many other areas were not visited also.
I am calling Question No. 43.
They got the Minister's advice and we were ignored.
That is not correct.