asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if his Department are concerned in the negotiations relating to EMS membership, in so far as these are influenced by an agreement on a sufficient capital resource transfer; and if any preparatory work is proceeding on the internal uses of such a resources transfer if agreement is reached.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EMS Membership.
22.
Discussions at Community level have been conducted by the Departments of Finance and Economic Planning and Development but of course my Department have been consulted. Work on the identification of projects suitable for financing from any additional resources made available is proceeding.
Could the Minister say whether there is available to his Department any study of the likely impact on employment of membership of the EMS in the event of Britain's non-involvement? Is there any contingency study available to him?
If the Deputy will put down a question I will get the information for him.
Of course I can do that but it will be some time before we have a chance to talk to the Minister's Department again. Surely the Minister can say if there has been some study done of the possible impact on employment?
That is not relevant. The Deputy's question relates to the EMS but not to the subject matter of the question on the Order Paper.
I am asking the Minister of State if in the event of our joining the EMS and Britain not joining there is likely to be any impact on employment here and if there is any study being made of this?
I said "Yes".
Is there a study available to the Minister setting out the likely impact of our involvement on employment?
Yes, and the identification of projects for financing from any additional resources made available is proceeding.
How far advanced is the work in this respect?
Quite detailed now.
When is it expected it will be finalised?
This all depends on the type of questions arising on the Order of Business in the last number of days.
Would the Minister agree a decision is likely to be taken in the near future and this information must be available to the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance and when does he thing the work will be finalised?
I suggest the Deputy addresses that question to the Taoiseach or the Minister for Finance.
But they are not here. The Minister for Finance is absent. Could the Minister of State say whether the investment of these capital transfer resources will be in those industries most likely to be affected by the EMS?
They would be grouped under IDA and SFADCo type projects.
Textiles and so on—is there any work done there?
Generally at this stage in respect of IDA and SFADCo type developments and extensions of the advance factory programme and so on.
Has the Minister any idea at which industries investment of capital transfer resources is aimed?
We will use any additional resources that become available for financing all projects.