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Dáil Éireann - Volume 242 - 13 November, 1969 Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers (Resumed). - Bantry (Cork) Factories. Mr. Murphy Mr. Murphy 1022 72. Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that factories located in Bantry which got substantial State aid in recent years have now closed down; and, if so, if he will take steps to ensure [1022] that other industries are established there. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: I am aware of one such undertaking which transferred its operations from Bantry to Cobh recently, and of another which has for some time operated on a reduced scale and employs a smaller number of workers than was originally envisaged. On the other hand, a grant has been approved for the expansion of a third factory in Bantry which is anticipated to yield employment for an additional 25 persons. As the Deputy is aware the Government provide valuable facilities to encourage the establishment and development of industries in all areas. It is for private enterprise to take advantage of these facilities and it is up to local interests to encourage private enterprise to set up industries in their own areas. I can assure the Deputy that any sound proposals by local or other interests for the establishment of industries in Bantry will receive all possible assistance from my Department and from the Industrial Development Authority. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: Would it be possible for the Minister to state what these particular factories were in Bantry which got substantial State aid and which closed down? Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: I think so. One was Rowa, Ltd. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: Has it closed down? Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: I am sorry. I have not got the information. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: I am surprised if that has closed down. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: I do not think I have said they closed down. King Shoes have moved to Cobh from Bantry. Flatley is operating on a reduced scale. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: Are Flatley still operating? Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: Yes. By a process of elimination Rowa must be the one that is expanding. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell 1023 Dr. O'Connell: Is the Minister [1023] aware that the factory in Bantry which has closed down got substantial State aid in recent years? Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: This factory have transferred their operations to Cobh rather than actually closed down. It is still in operation. That is one. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: The others have closed down. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: Flatley, I gather, are operating on a reduced scale and, as I said, by a process of elimination Rowa must be the one which is expanding. An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Denis Francis Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: Question No. 73. Mr. Harte Mr. Harte Mr. Harte: Are Flatley in the country at the moment? Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: I do not know. The Deputy had better put down a question about that. Mr. P. O'Donnell Mr. P. O'Donnell Mr. P. O'Donnell: Is it not a fact that this firm got substantial grants to establish a factory? Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: Which one? Mr. P. O'Donnell Mr. P. O'Donnell Mr. P. O'Donnell: The one this question refers to. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: Which one is the Deputy talking about? Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: We have asked which factories have closed down. We want full details. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: King Shoes closed down in Bantry recently and moved to Cobh. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: When the Minister says they closed down, does this mean they closed down or that they transferred? Does this entitle them to new grants? Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: They transferred their operations to Cobh. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: Does that entitle them to new grants? Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: I should think not. I understand the question about this factory moving is being discussed between the IDA and the firm at the present time. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell 1024 [1024] Dr. O'Connell: If there was a loophole it would be a very serious thing that a factory which got a grant for a particular area would close down and then suddenly open up again somewhere else and get another grant. Would the Minister for Defence ask the Minister for Industry and Commerce to investigate this? An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Denis Francis Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: Question No. 73. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: I should think the suggestion that a firm by transferring the site of its operation from one place to another would thereby be entitled to a second grant is so obviously unacceptable that it would not happen. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: That seems so but the Minister will admit that my colleague, Deputy Michael Pat Murphy, has said that there are factories which were located in Bantry and which got substantial State aid recently have now closed down. He has asked if the Minister is aware of that? Mr. O'Sullivan Mr. O'Sullivan Mr. O'Sullivan: I think the Minister must be aware that this factory is virtually closed down for the last two years, that the amount of employment given in it is infinitesimal—only two or three persons are employed. It is now about time for another look. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: Could I ask the Minister to have this investigated? Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: I understand this transfer is actually under investigation now by the IDA. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: That is one. “Factories” are mentioned. There is another factory which has closed down. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: My information is that one factory has closed down and another is operating on a reduced level. The third factory is expanding. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: Is it expanding in the area? Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: Yes. Mr. P. O'Donnell Mr. P. O'Donnell Mr. P. O'Donnell: We are not asking about the one which is expanding. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell 1025 [1025] Dr. O'Connell: We are asking about the ones which have closed down. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: One has closed down. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: Only one? An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Denis Francis Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: Question No. 73. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: Is the Minister suggesting that the statement in this question is wrong? The question asked about factories which got substantial State aid in recent years and have now closed down. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: Possibly the Deputy needs to be reminded of the original part of the reply which reads like this: I am aware of one such undertaking which transferred its operations from Bantry to Cobh recently—— That is one. ——and of another which has for some time operated on a reduced scale and employs a smaller number of workers than was originally envisaged. That is two. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: It closed down. This is a very serious matter. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: Should I remind the Deputy it is by agreement on this side of the House that we are continuing after 5 o'clock with replies to questions? An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Denis Francis Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: The Chair has called Question No. 73 on three occasions. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: On the other hand, a grant has been approved for the expansion of a third factory in Bantry which is anticipated to yield employment for an additional 25 persons. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: That is Rowa. Mr. Harte Mr. Harte Mr. Harte: That is a very good defence. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: A very witty remark. Dáil Éireann 242 Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers (Resumed). Bantry (Cork) Factories. Questions 19691113
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