(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Agriculture the steps the Government intends to take to ensure continuing employment for the workers of the Clover Group, Donnellys, Cork Street, Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

As announced on Friday, 11th March, the Government have decided to provide State assistance for the Clover Meats Group in the form of a guaranteed loan through the Agricultural Credit Corporation. This, together with further facilities which are being made available by commercial banking interests will provide for the group's immediate needs. I have been informed by Clover Meats Ltd. that it is not their intention to close the Donnelly factory but that it is available for sale as a going concern.

(Dublin Central): In the financial deal which was worked out, did the Minister get any undertaking from Clover Meats that the Donnelly factory will remain in operation?

I cannot give the Deputy any more information than that contained in the reply. The Donnelly factory will not be closed down but is available for sale as a going concern. It will not be for sale for any other purpose.

(Dublin Central): Is the Minister giving an undertaking that the present employment content at Donnellys, which is 300, will be maintained even when it is sold?

The Deputy knows that no Minister could give that sort of undertaking. That depends entirely on the supply of pigs. They will not keep people unless they have work for them. If the supply continues at its present level I assume the same number of people will be employed.

(Dublin Central): Surely in the financial deal worked out by the Minister, the ACC and the IDA, the future prospects of that firm were considered. Will it be a viable proposition? Will it continue manufacturing within the present company? Is it the intention of the company to sell? If it is the intention of the company to sell off Donnellys of Cork Street was an undertaking given that the present employment content would continue?

One of the main concerns of the Government in providing State assistance was to ensure that the maximum number of people would be kept in employment within the group, however that was to be done. A group of experts are being put in to see that everything possible is done to keep the organisation working at the highest possible level and to keep the maximum number of people in employment.

(Dublin Central): That does not give any guarantee to the 300 employees in my constituency.

Nobody can give that sort of guarantee.

Is it true that the number of pigs is probably at its lowest now than it has been for many years?

That is a separate question.

It is not true; it is much higher than it was in the last two years.

Let us stick to the questions on the Order Paper.