asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to the further loss of 100 jobs in the shoe industry in County Monaghan; and the action he proposes to take.
32.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Monaghan Unemployment.
31.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the early action he proposes to take to relieve the serious unemployment position in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, arising from recent factory closures.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 32 together.
I am aware of the position in the firm which I presume the Deputy has in mind. I understand that there has been a continuing fall-off in sales resulting in substantial losses which has led the firm to take a decision to go into voluntary liquidation.
I am very concerned about the serious loss of employment involved in the closure of this factory and the earlier closure of a subsidiary factory in Carrickmacross. I understand that proposals have been made to recommence the manufacture of footwear in Carrickmacross on a reduced scale. These proposals are being examined by the appropriate State agencies. I have, also, impressed on the IDA the necessity of securing some alternative sources of employment for the area. I understand that the authority have plans to provide an advance factory in Carrickmacross.
As the Deputy is aware, the footwear industry, in common with certain other sectors of industry, has been experiencing difficulties for some time because of the general recession in trade on home and foreign markets and the growth in imports.
I have indicated on a number of occasions the action which was being taken with a view to helping the textile, clothing and footwear industries. Discussions with the EEC Commission and the UK authorities about this problem have not been concluded. In the meantime a system of surveillance on imports of footwear will be introduced very shortly.
Will the Minister not agree that when redundancies began to occur six months ago he was very hopeful about the situation? He brought over a task force to look into the footwear industry and the House would like to know what became of the submissions of the task force?
I have indicated I have been disappointed in the extent of the response and the real aid contained in that response by the task force. In my reply I indicated that the pressure on the EEC Commission is continuing. I have been dissatisfied and disappointed with the response.
Will the Minister not agree that this is a matter of extreme urgency and that something should be done about it?
I appreciate the Deputy's concern but I have to reiterate to the House that I am bound by the Accession Treaty to the Community.
What has that got to do with Taiwan?
In reply to the supplementary to the supplementary question, if the Deputy studied it a little he would know the answer.
I have studied it. Why not attack the EEC on the ad valorem basis?
The imports from outside the EEC into the EEC—that includes Ireland—are controlled by the Commission, not by individual member states.
Why not attack the Commission?
It is easy for the Deputy to say attack in that sense——
It is easy.
Order. I am calling Deputy O'Malley.
Is the Minister aware——
The whole danger——
Is the Minister aware that in that area 50 per cent of people are under-employed in agriculture as compared with 23 per cent of the national average?
May I reply to the supplementary question?
The Minister is endeavouring to reply and he should be listened to by Deputies.
The crucial point is that the imposition of restraints which violate the Treaty of Accession run the risk of precipitating counter measures by other countries on which we are extremely dependent for exports which would do us much more damage.
The whole international basis is wrong.
I agree.
Deputy O'Malley and Deputy Leonard rose.
Deputy O'Malley.
The Minister received——
I have called Deputy O'Malley.
Does the Minister's reply mean that he now has in mind the imposition of import controls to protect the footwear, clothing and textile industries to which he referred on the lines we advocated here six or seven months ago?
I made no such reference in my reply.
Does the Minister propose to impose these controls?
That is a separate question.
Has the Minister seen the report in today's Irish Independent to that effect from an informed Government source issued last night?
I have not seen a report from an informed Government source issued last night.
Is the report in today's Irish Independent to this effect wrong?
I do not know.
But the Minister is Minister for Industry and Commerce. He must know whether he is going to impose these or not.
I am not aware that it was reported in the terms the Deputy put it in today's Irish Independent or any other newspaper.
It was to the effect that there would be import controls as from 1st July. Is that true or is it not?
The Deputy said from an informed Government source. The question I was asked relates to County Monaghan.
No matter from what source, will the Minister comment on the report that there will be import controls from 1st July next?
I will answer appropriate questions.
The shoe and leather workers' union in Monaghan sent a submission to the Minister six months ago to save the industry. Did he examine that submission?
The Deputy must confine his remarks to Monaghan.
It is the shoe and leather industry in Monaghan. The submission was from the union catering for the shoe and leather workers in Monaghan. Was the submission examined and were the union notified of the result of that examination?
All submissions were thoroughly examined. They were, in fact, discussed with representatives of the union and the representatives of the union recognised in some instances that the proposals they made were not possible of being carried out. We had a lengthy correspondence about these submissions which were, indeed, thoroughly examined as were those elements in the report which were of use and which were implemented.
They got a written reply to that effect, did they?
I believe so.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.
May I have a written reply to Question No. 96? I had a Special Notice Question on this very important matter, which was refused, and, as the Ceann Comhairle is aware, the teachers' union is anxious about this matter. Deputies are receiving letters about the matter. There is discrimination against the commerce subject. There has been a large——
The Deputy ought to await the written reply.
There has been a campaign directed to the students in the last few weeks which has upset them and does the Ceann Comhairle know there was a question down by a Deputy, which was subsequently withdrawn in some mysterious manner——
This is not in order and the Deputy knows it is not in order.
I want to raise the subject matter of the veterinary dispute on the Adjournment, with the permission of the Chair.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
Can the Chair ensure that the answer to Question No. 96 will be made available today because it may help to allay the fears of parents all over the country whose children are sitting for these examinations?
I understand it will be available more or less immediately. We will do our best.
Do your best?
I understand it will be readily available.
That is the point. The Deputy is right to ask for a written answer to any question on the Order Paper and, irrespective of the best the Ceann Comhairle can do, it should be available.
It is a question of the immediacy of the reply. I understand it is available.
That is the right of a Deputy. It is not a question of anyone doing one's best.
The examinations are starting at any moment.
It is a matter of time. The answer is available.