asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the recent change of ownership of the Shamrock Fertilisers Company, he can give an assurance that the future employment of the staff and workers in Wicklow will not be adversely affected.

The Deputy will appreciate the fact that, as I cannot intervence in private transactions between independent industrial firms, I am not in a position to give the assurance sought.

My concern for the maintenance of employment in Shamrock Fertilisers Limited has already been conveyed to the new owners.

Is the Minister aware that representatives of the urban council met representatives of the firm who could give them no information whether they can be retained or not? Further, is he aware that a German firm is not only prepared to take it over but to increase the employment to avoid this threat to close it down?

I do not know if there is any threat to close it down but I can assure the Deputy so far as there was a German application made to me for a new manufacture licence, I granted that readily in order to maintain employment in the company. Subsequently this new take-over bid was made and I have, as I said, conveyed to the new owners my concern about the maintenance of employment.

Have the new owners not said that there will not be a closedown?

I think a public announcement made by them had something to that effect.