Vol. 353 No. 5
asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he is aware that the receiver at Messrs. McArdle's coachbuilding company, Coe Road, Dundalk proposed to dispose of stock, by auction on Thursday 13 November; the steps his Department have taken to secure an alternative company to take over this plant; if he is aware that the container industry in Europe and world wide has improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
2.
asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he is aware of the worldwide improvement in the demand for transport containers; and if he will immediately examine the possibility of helping to re-open Thomas McArdle's coachbuilders, Coe Road, Dundalk.
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
Throughout the period since February 1983 when this company went into receivership, the Industrial Development Authority, in close co-operation with the receiver, have continuously explored, on a worldwide basis, the possibility of finding suitable interests to take over the assets with a view to resumption of container manufacturing at the plant. Despite these intensive efforts, no such suitable interests have been located. Similarly, efforts by the IDA to locate suitable interests who would take over the operation, in whole or in part, for manufacturing operations other than container production, have also met with a negative response. I do not have information available to me regarding the claimed improvement in the demand for containers but my understanding is that there is more than sufficient excess manufacturing capacity in the industry to meet any such increased demand.
I am aware that the receiver is considering disposing of the stock, etc., by auction in the near future but this, of course, is a matter for decision by him and is not something in which I have any function.
Is the Minister aware of the very serious unemployment problem in Dundalk? For many years Dundalk town has had a very proud industrial base but unfortunately over the last two years we have seen a very serious increase in the numbers of unemployed in the town.
A question, please.
Coachbuilding firms like McArdle's with special skills and traditions going back over many years——
Do not make a speech.
——are going out of business because the Government are not prepared to take the necessary steps to put this industry back on the rails.
The Deputy should not ignore the Chair.
In view of the serious situation in July, will the Minister re-examine the position at McArdle's to ensure that they reopen as quickly as possible?
I am aware of the unemployment situation in Dundalk. I want to refute the Deputy's allegation that the Government are not taking the proper steps to ensure that the company in question are taken over. If he reads my reply he will see that we have taken every possible step to ensure a takeover of that company. I want to assure him that this Government are fully committed to establishing the environment where industry can expand and prosper.
