asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism when the National Development Corporation will be set up.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Development Corporation.
8.
Detailed proposals for the establishment of the National Development Corporation will be set out in the Government's White Paper on Industrial Policy which will be published very shortly. It is intended that the necessary legislation to give effect to the establishment of the corporation will be introduced as soon as possible thereafter. The date of establishment of the NDC will depend on the progress of this legislation.
Would the Minister agree that this was a top priority in the Government programme? They are now half way through their term in office and it has taken this time to get legislation prepared. Will the Minister say if this legislation will be brought in this session?
No, not in this session——
I thought as much.
——because the proposals of the National Development Corporation which have been agreed by the Government will be contained in the White Paper and I have already indicated when that will be published. It would not be possible to have the consequential legislation brought in this session, because the White Paper will be published at the end of this session.