asked the Minister for Energy if any progress has been made to date in the building of a smelter in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Zinc Smelter Project .
8.
: As the Deputy is aware, the Industrial Development Authority have had discussions over the past few years with a number of parties interested in the Irish zinc smelter project. The authority have completed an appraisal of the proposals received and their report is being studied by my Department at present together with a report on the agricultural implications of the smelter by An Foras Talúntais. I am not, therefore, in a position to make a statement on the matter at the present time.
: In view of the statement in the Fianna Fáil manifesto that the party believe in a State-owned smelter, would the Minister not agree that it is time some definite decision was taken? At that time the party quoted the cost of a smelter at between £30 and £40 million and it is now put at about £150 million and rising. If a smelter is to be erected, particularly by the State, the sooner the better this is done, or is the Minister saying that a smelter will not be erected?
: I am saying as indicated in my reply, that is, that the reports to which I have referred are being studied in my Department and I am not in a position at the moment to make a statement on that matter, although I will be able to do so in due course.
: I raised this question on a number of occasions with the Minister's predecessor, as did other Deputies. Could the Minister say whether the decision made by his predecessor to select a site in Kerry for ore which was to be brought by road is still being adhered to? How soon may we expect the Minister to make a definite statement on the matter?
: I am not in a position to indicate a time. I cannot make a commitment on that, but it will be as soon as possible.
: That is what the Minister's predecessor said 12 months ago.
: Is it not peculiar that this question is being answered by the Minister for Energy? I would have thought it was a question for the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism.
: I found it on my desk and I assume it was addressed to me.
: Was it diverted?
: Not as far as I am aware.
: It is correct that the Minister for Energy is the person responsible for answering this type of question.
: I would not have accepted it if I did not think so.
: The Minister was stuck with the hot potato when the whistle blew.