asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to reports that outline planning permission was granted for the siting of a smelter plant at Little Island, County Cork; and if he will take the necessary steps to have this plant sited near Galway port which is the nearest suitable port to the Tynagh mines, and thus obviate the necessity for hauling ores over long distance with consequent serious damage to roads.

48.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if a decision has been made on the site of the proposed lead-zinc smelter.

I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together.

I have seen Press reports of the granting of planning permission by Cork County Council to the Smelter Corporation of Ireland Ltd. However, no final decision as regards the erection of a smelter or its location if it is decided to erect one has as yet been notified to me.

In accordance with normal practice the position about the availability of grants has been explained to the Smelter Corporation by the IDA who have indicated that the corporation would qualify for a higher grant if they located the smelter in a designated western area. No doubt before taking any final decision the corporation will consider fully the grant situation and the conditions with which they may have to comply in any particular area.

Does the Minister appreciate the difficulties which would arise in so far as the Galway Harbour Commissioners are concerned should the smelter be sited at any point other than Galway? Is he further aware that his colleague, Deputy Molloy, who is now Minister for Local Government, and other public representatives of different political parties met the Galway Harbour Commissioners, and subsequently met the Minister for Industry and Commerce, at that time Deputy Colley, and pointed out how important it would be to have this smelter plant sited at Galway which is only a very short distance from the Tynagh Mines? Would the Minister use his good offices to see that this smelter at least would be transferred to the West of Ireland where it would provide much-needed employment for our people?

I will bear in mind what the Deputy has said.

Could the Minister state what percentage grant will be paid to the Smelter Corporation of Ireland if the plant is erected at Little Island in Cork?

I could not say that.

Could the Minister say whether the Tynagh mine is the only one from which it is proposed to supply ore to the smelter?

I cannot say that, actually.

It is the main source of supply.

Has the Minister seen the comments of the Archbishop of Tuam?

I have been reading stacks of comments.

Is the Government's position that the only indication given to the Smelter Corporation about the desirability of setting up the industry in the west is that there would be a higher grant given in the west? Is it as simple as that?

It is not as simple as that.

We understand the Government are very concerned about the west. Have they underlined to the corporation the desirability of establishing the smelter in the west?

The Government, operating through the IDA, are constantly stressing the necessity for industrial development in the west. The Deputy need not have any worries about Government concern for the west.

Has the Taoiseach's own constituency put a restraint on Government policy in relation to the west?

Cork has never been a restraint on the rest of Ireland.

Could the Minister say the percentage difference between the grant for the West of Ireland and the normal grant?

It has been said in the reply that it was indicated to the Smelter Corporation that they would qualify for a higher grant if they located the smelter industry in the west.

Could I ask the Minister if I may take it for granted that he is not overlooking the claims of the Shannon Estuary?

Order. Deputy Donnellan.

In view of what the Minister has said it is quite possible that if he had this decision to make concerning the smelter plant it would certainly go to the west? Am I right in assuming that?

That is a heck of an assumption. I would not quite say that.

I do not want any credit for any location this would take nor have I interfered in the slightest.

Deputy Donnellan has asked if a decision has been made and the reply to that is that no decision has been made.