asked the Taoiseach if he will consider transferring responsibility for the operations of An Fóir Teoranta from the Minister for Finance to the Minister for Industry and Energy in order to facilitate a more effective action programme for job maintenance.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Fóir Teoranta Transfer.
2.
As the Deputy will be aware, the proposal to transfer responsibility for Fóir Teoranta from the Department of Finance to the Department of Industry and Energy has been considered by consecutive Governments since 1975. The White Paper on Industrial Policy at present being prepared by the Minister for Industry and Energy will examine the effectiveness of the industrial rescue services provided by the State. The question of ministerial responsibility will be considered in the context of this examination.
Would the Taoiseach personally consider it desirable that such a transfer of responsibility should take place because of the increasing involvement of the IDA in rescue activities in recent years? Would he not consider that it is better value for taxpayers' money that one Minister should have overall responsibility in the rescue area?
I know the arguments in respect of this but I do not wish to anticipate the conclusions of the White Paper.
Surely at a time when there is a headlong rush towards more and more factory closures it is a bit ridiculous to suggest here today that all the decisions which will be taken in this vital area of job maintenance and job creation are being put on the long finger. We had all the answers before the election but now we do not seem to have any answers.
The factories were closing before the election.
(Interruptions.)