Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 14 Jun 1990

Vol. 399 No. 12

Written Answers. - Industrial Gases Imports.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

50 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the amount and value of industrial gases imported into Ireland for each of the years from 1987 to 1989 inclusive; if any or all of this requirement could be manufactured in Ireland; the value of such import substitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. O'Malley)

It is assumed that the Deputy's question relates to the following category of industrial gases: nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, argon, acetylene and compressed air. The total imports of industrial gases so defined for the period 1987 to 1989 are as follows:

1987	1988	1989
Amount Tonnes	Value	Amount Tonnes	Value	Amount Tonnes	Value
14,319	£3.1m.	15,892	£3.6m.	13,214	£3.1m.

I understand that a sizeable proportion of the imported gases are specialist type gases and, while it is possible that some of the imports could be manufactured here, the Deputy will appreciate that it may not be an economic proposition to do so.