asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the fact that workers in a car assembly plant (name supplied) are on short time due to the fact that cars are being imported fully assembled; and that this is contrary to the assurances given to the car assembly workers at the signing of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Car Assemblers.
38.
I am aware that workers in the car assembly plant referred to in the question are on short time. I understand that this situation has arisen as a result of the inability of the English motor manufacturer concerned to maintain regular supplies of vehicle aggregates for assembly here. This in turn has been due to the cumulative effect of a succession of strikes among the manufacturer's various component —supplying firms in Britain—an effect which forced the manufacturing firm itself to close down for a number of weeks until the 5th October, 1970.
Though the supply situation is still difficult, I understand that it is hoped to proceed by stages to the resumption of full-time working by mid-November.
The small number of fully built up cars which the firm is importing are not of a type which they assemble and do not affect the present employment position in the assembly plant.