asked the Minister for Finance whether it is a fact that the Irish Glass Bottle Company has ceased manufacturing bottles, and should this be so, will he consider the removal of the protective duty imposed on certain classes of bottles which were hitherto manufactured by the company in question.

I understand that the Irish Glass Bottle Company, Ltd., is not at present manufacturing bottles, but whether manufacture will be resumed or not is not at present known. In the circumstances the second part of the question scarcely arises at this stage.

In case the factory does not resume the manufacture of bottles will the Minister consider the matter?

The matter would be ripe for consideration if it was clear that the factory was not going to resume.

In view of the fact that a certain amount of public money was lent to this company, will the Minister take steps to see that the factory is reopened?

These two questions are not related.

Is the Minister aware that a large number of people are unemployed as a result of the factory not being working?

I believe there is unemployment.