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Dáil Éireann - Volume 216 - 24 June, 1965

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grant Payments to Firm.

35. Dr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the total number and extent of grants given to a firm (name supplied).

36. Dr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce why a recent application from a firm (name supplied) for a grant was refused.

Dr. Hillery: With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 36 together.

No grants have been made by An Foras Tionscal to the firm named. I understand that the reasons why an application from this firm was refused by An Foras Tionscal were given to the firm. I do not think it desirable that such information should be published.

[1533] Dr. O'Connell: Will the Minister state why this cannot be made available? The company was not informed of the reason.

Dr. Hillery: The secretary of the company was told personally and I did not say the information could not be made available but that it is undesirable that it should be published.

Dr. O'Connell: Is the Minister aware that at the annual general meeting, the chairman of the company stated that no reason was given for the refusal?

Dr. Hillery: The reasons given were available to me and they were made known personally to the secretary.

Dr. O'Connell: The chairman of the company said that no reason was given by the Department or by An Foras Tionscal for the refusal. He made that statement.

Dr. Hillery: I am not responsible for the statement of the chairman but An Foras Tionscal tell me that the reasons for the refusal were given to the secretary personally, and I have a copy of the reasons given to him.

Mr. James Tully: If the decision was made in writing, surely the reasons should be stated in writing?

Dr. Hillery: I did not say they were not in writing; I said they were given personally to the secretary, and whether in writing or not, the allegation was that no reason was given in any form.

Mr. Norton: Does the Minister mean this reason was given to the secretary in person, acting on behalf of the company?

Dr. Hillery: It was given direct to the secretary and not sent through any intermediary.

Dr. O'Connell: Is it not a fact that this is an Irish company——

Dr. Hillery: That would not explain the statement.

Dr. O'Connell: It might explain [1534] the fact that we are so willing to give grants to foreign companies that when an Irish company is in need of a grant, it is refused.

Dr. Hillery: No, that is quite wrong. There were very sound reasons which I am sure every member of the House would support.

Mr. James Tully: If they knew them.

Dr. Hillery: Technical assistance grants have been sanctioned by my Department for this company. They have been offered assistance by way of grants but a grant from An Foras Tionscal was not approved for a very good reason.

Mr. Ryan: No Irish need apply.

Dr. Hillery: They have had technical assistance grants approved by my Department and they were as Irish for that purpose as for any other.

Mr. T. Lynch: If they brought a Chinaman along——

Dr. Hillery: That is quite wrong.

Dr. O'Connell: Would the Minister give me the reason?

Dr. Hillery: I do not think it desirable.

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