asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will arrange to have the oil refinery proposed for Dublin sited in County Mayo in view of the serious decline in population and the low level of employment in the county.

47.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the present position regarding the proposal for an oil refinery at Dublin Bay; and if he will now endeavour to have this project located in a more suitable site in the west.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 47 together.

I understand that the promoters have applied for planning permission for an oil refinery to the Dublin Corporation who are considering the matter.

The Deputies will appreciate that the choice of location of an industrial project is primarily for the promoters. Neither the Industrial Development Authority nor I have the power to direct a project to a particular area.