asked the Minister for Supplies whether there is yet any possibility of securing from England the necessary carding and combing machinery required by Messrs. Salts (Ireland) Ltd., Tullamore; and, if so, when it is proposed to secure the machinery, which will mean more employment for Tullamore workers; and if he will state what precisely has been the nature of any representations made by his Department to secure this essential machinery.

The position is as indicated in my reply to a question on the same subject by the Deputy in the Dáil on the 18th November, 1943.

Will the Minister say if any fresh representations have been made with regard to securing this machinery?

Not that I am aware of.

If there are, will the Minister promise to communicate with me on the matter? I am very interested in this subject.

There are two combing mills in the South of Ireland and we have never yet thought of making a request to the Minister to get machinery for us. No machinery was available since 1940 and I hope the Minister will not consider giving special facilities to Tullamore without taking into consideration also the the requirements of southern mills. I think the southern air seems to suit wool combing more than other areas.

That is very like a reply to Deputy Flanagan.

If the Deputy had his way there would not be any mill in Tullamore. It is a damn good job that Deputy Dwyer has not his way. We have a good mill in Tullamore and we have place for more if we can get them.

Perhaps the two Deputies would settle the matter elsewhere.