asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to a report by the General Manager of the Irish Refining Company, Cork, to the effect that redundancy of workers is likely to occur because of competition created by the importation of foreign refined petrol; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to protect the interests of these Cork workers.

I have seen newspaper reports that the numbers employed in this refinery are excessive in relation to comparable refineries elsewhere and would need to be reduced. It is not my understanding that the redundancies which have arisen are wholly due to competition from imported petrol.

Is the Minister quite satisfied it is not due to the importation of petrol?

It is certainly not wholly due to that.

Could it be said to be partially due to it?

To some extent it could have been true, but I think that factor has become less important as time goes on.

Could the Minister take steps to rectify that situation?

There are no steps open to me that would rectify that situation.