Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Nov 1970

Vol. 249 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sitting of Smelter.

29.

Mr. Desmond

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, as reported, the former Minister for Industry and Commerce and the former Minister for Finance in consultation with the Industrial Development Authority intimated to the interests concerned with the setting up of the proposed smelter in Cork harbour that should the interests opt for either Limerick or Galway locations a higher grant from the State would be forthcoming; and if the size of the plant proposed for Limerick would be substantially smaller than that originally envisaged for Cork harbour; and if he will make a statement concerning this whole project.

31.

Mr. O'Hara

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will take the necessary steps to have the smelter plant erected in the Western region where there is large-scale emigration and thereby to relieve this situation.

32.

Mr. T. O'Donnell

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what is the present position regarding the proposed smelter plant.

33.

Mr. M. O'Leary

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has any information on the location of the proposed smelter.

Mr. Lalor

I propose, with your permission, A Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 29, 31, 32 and 33 together.

A final decision as regards the erection of a smelter or its possible location has not yet, I am informed, been taken by the promoters.

As I explained to the House on 19th May last, in accordance with normal practice the position about the availability of grants was explained to the Smelter Corporation by the IDA who indicated that the corporation would qualify for a higher grant if they located the smelter in a designated western area.

Mr. Desmond

Within the limits of the information available to him, could the Minister give some indication as to when a final decision is likely to be arrived at in this matter? Has the Minister any indication from the IDA or the Smelter Corporation? Will it take a month or two months? There is a great deal of speculation in this matter, speculation which is not helpful to the Government, to the Opposition Parties or to anybody else.

Mr. Lalor

If I said any more it would only add to the speculation.

Mr. Desmond

Will it take a month?

Mr. Lalor

I am not expecting an early decision.

Mr. Donnellan

The Minister referred to the fact that there would be a higher grant available if this smelter was erected in a western area. Which western area exactly did the Minister have in mind?

Mr. Lalor

I have no specific western area in mind. In Question No. 31 I was asked by Deputy O'Hara if I would take the necessary steps to try to have the smelter located in a western area and my reply indicated that it was explained to the Smelter Corporation by the IDA that they would qualify for a higher grant if they located the smelter in a designated western area.

Mr. Donnellan

Would the Minister express a preference for one location over another?

Mr. Lalor

The Deputy could ask Deputy Enright and he will probably give him some idea of the area in which I personally would be inclined to locate the smelter.