Vol. 253 No. 11
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a detailed statement in relation to the proposed closing of the Ranks Flour Mills, Clara, County Offaly; why this decision has been taken by the company; if employees will be compensated; if so, to what extent; and what steps it is proposed to take in relation to this matter which affects the economy of the town to a very great extent.
34.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the closure of a flour mill at Clara, County Offaly.
With the permission of the Ceann Chomhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 34 together.
The flour millers are not required to consult me in relation to the closing of individual mills. I am informed, however, that the closing of the mill at Clara arises from the continuing decline in the consumption of flour which has resulted in Messrs. Ranks having sufficient milling capacity at their other mills to meet their flour trade. I understand that the employees will be compensated in accordance with a redundancy scheme organised within the industry which has been agreed with the union concerned.
Would it have anything to do with the fact that one particular group of flour millers have a monopoly? They can do what they like without consulting the Government. Is that true?
That is not the case.
What is the case? Is that not what is happening and the Minister for Industry and Commerce is standing idly by?
