asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he is aware of the threat to 115 jobs at a firm (details supplied) in Wexford by the lifting of tariffs on imported cars at the end of this year; the steps he will take to protect the jobs; and the measures he will take to find replacement jobs, should the factory close.
Written Answers. - Wexford Jobs.
461.
I am aware that the ending of the special arrangements for the protection of the motor vehicle assembly industry may mean that it will no longer be possible for the company in question to continue vehicle assembly.
Under Protocol 7 annexed to Ireland's Treaty of Accession to the EEC these special arrangements, first introduced in 1968, must terminate on 1 January 1985. The protocol specifically provides against calling into question the date for the termination of the arrangements.
It has long been recognised that, with the ending of the transition arrangements and the advent of free trade in motor vehicles within the EEC, the viability of small scale assembly operations would be called into question. Accordingly, firms engaged in assembly have been encouraged to diversify into alternative manufacturing projects.
For a number of years now the company in question have been endeavouring to establish an alternative manufacturing project and a number of such proposals were, in fact, approved in principle by the Industrial Development Authority. Unfortunately none of these projects came to fruition. The IDA, however, are maintaining close contact with the company as they continue to seek an alternative to assembly and the Deputy can be assured that the company will be given every assistance possible in their efforts to provide replacement employment.