asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether any consideration has been given to increasing the production of cement in Ireland by (a) the stepping up of output from existing factories; and (b) the establishment of additional factories.

I have been giving constant consideration to the question of increasing the production of cement to meet the increased demand. Considerable quantities have to be imported to supplement home production. The demand cannot be met by stepping up the output of the existing factories as they are already working to capacity, and I am examining the problem of establishing additional factories.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the acute shortage of cement at present in rural Ireland and if he will state the cause; further, if he will state, in relation to the present allocation to traders, on what period of the year's purchases it is based.

I am not aware that there is an acute shortage of cement in rural Ireland. I know that recently there have been temporary shortages in certain districts due to the recent abnormally high demand. I do not exercise any control over the distribution of cement, but I am assured that the supplies available are being distributed as equitably as possible.