asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware of the present weak state of the textile industry; and whether he has held any discussions with employer and trade union interests in this industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Textile Industry.
31.
As already indicated in my reply to a similar question by the Deputy on 3rd March, 1971, I am aware that certain sectors of the textile industry have been experiencing difficulties arising, inter alia, from the impact on the Irish industry of the general recession in the textile industry. My officials and I have had a number of discussions with employer and trade union interests on the subject.
Is the Minister aware that not only in the midlands is there danger of closures but that two or three firms in Dublin are in great difficulty at present? Is there any way of prohibiting the import of very cheap dresses in an effort to save jobs for some of the employees?
The question deals with discussions with employers and trade union interests in the textile industry.
Has anything been done about this matter? There is a great danger of closures, particularly as the tariffs were cut further on 1st July.
I do not accept that the danger has increased.
Is the Minister in a position to state the number of employees in this industry and the number who have become redundant? Has he got that information?
That is a separate question.
I have the information.
The Minister is well briefed.
The employment in this sector as a whole in recent years has been on the increase.
Has the Minister got the figures?
The estimated number of people employed in 1970 was 25,500. I have an estimate for 1969 of 25,500. The actual figures for 1968 are 24,100 and for 1967, 22,600.
What about 1971? The Minister has the figure and should give it to us.
The House will realise that we do not count them every day.
They are down by almost 2,000 this year and the Minister should admit it.
The Minister should give the true figure.
I have given the figure for 1970.
Give the figure for 1971. It is down by almost 2,500.
Can the Minister give us any indication as to the future of these 25,000 workers?
23,000.
The figure was 25,500 in 1970.
They know what has happened to them. There are 2,000 of them gone already.
In my reply I expressed my awareness of the fact that there are problems in this industry and it is arising from the existence of those problems that the discussions between myself and the trade unions, between myself and the employers, and between my Department and both sectors, have been going on. Those discussions were comparatively recent and I do not think it would be appropriate for me to comment on the position.
Give the true position?
Question No. 32.
Could the Minister tell us how many firms in the textile industry closed down in the past few months?
As has been mentioned my brief is pretty comprehensive, but on this question one could not visualise a supplementary question specifically asking for the number of firms that have been closed down.
The Minister does not know.
Put down a question.
Everybody in the House knows but the Minister does not know.
If the Deputy knows, why does he not tell us?
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 32.