asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if any estimate is available of the anticipated run-down of Irish industries which, as subsidiaries of British industries, will cease to operate when tariff barriers are further reduced; and what the estimated loss of employment will be.

No estimate of the kind referred to by the Deputy is available. In fact, all the indications so far are that the reduction of tariff barriers will not be significantly different in its effect on subsidiaries of British industries from that on Irish industry generally.

That is very bad. This is the Taoiseach's opinion.

The Taoiseach said no such thing and I hope the Deputy will not misquote him, as some of his colleagues have been doing. What he said was that, if we did not take the right action, we could lose up to one-third of our market.

62.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of new jobs in industry, distribution and other sources created between 1956 and 1966; and if he will give the latest available figures.

As the information is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

Estimated Number of Jobs created between 1956 and 1966 and the latest Available Figure.

63.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the percentage of Irish industries employing 20 persons or less, 50 persons or less, 100 persons or less and 100 persons or more; the amount invested in (a) grants and (b) loans in support of Irish industry; and the total amount of taxation relief granted under the various provisions to Irish industry.

In 1963, the latest year for which figures are available, of 3,162 establishments in the transportable goods industries, 54 per cent employed under 20, 77 per cent employed under 50, 88 per cent employed under 100 and 12 per cent employed over 100.

Up to 31st March, 1968, An Foras Tionscal approved industrial grants amounting to £56,077,000 of which £27,314,000 has been paid.

Up to 31st October, 1967, the Industrial Credit Company provided capital for industry, by way of loan, share and guarantee, amounting to £36.97 million. In addition, the company underwrote successful capital flotations amounting to £20.63 million.

Loan and share investment in industry by Taiscí Stáit up to 31st March, 1968, amounted to £1,324,000.

The question of taxation relief is one for the Minister for Finance.

May I take it that the particulars the Minister has given are in relation to the transportable goods industry?

They cover manufacturing industry as well. This is the official classification. Perhaps, I might add that these figures relate to 1963. That is the latest year for which figures are available.