asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce why the grant for the erection of a chipboard factory at Lismore, County Waterford was refused in view of the fact that the directors of this factory were extremely anxious that the project should be established at Lismore; whether he or the Industrial Development Authority gave any direction that this factory was to be established in Waterford City; and, if so, why; and if in view of the high number of unemployed and the abnormal number of emigrants from Lismore he will give the reason why Lismore was not selected.

Applications for grants under the Industrial Grants Act, 1959, are dealt with by An Foras Tionscal which is an autonomous body.

I understand from An Foras Tionscal that there was not a refusal of an application for a grant for the erection of a chipboard factory at Lismore.

The selection of a location for an industry towards which a grant is sought is entirely a matter for the promoters of the industry. No direction was given by me or by the Industrial Development Authority or by An Foras Tionscal that the chipboard factory should be established in Waterford City.

Did I understand the Minister to say that no direction was given by him that the chipboard factory should be established in Waterford city?

Exactly.

Is it a fact that the chipboard factory was established in Waterford city because it was the best place?

I have no idea. It was the place decided on by the promoters.

Is it not a fact that a deputation went to the Minister and asked him not to put the factory in Waterford?

A deputation came to me and urged me to have it established at Lismore and I told them that the location was a matter for the promoters.

Can the Minister say if the persons who came to see him knew that the factory was about to be established in Waterford?

It is not the practice to discuss the subject matter of deputations.