Fertiliser industry competitiveness and employment
Gibbons warned that competition threatened employment, and Bruton acknowledged the problem, citing the Government’s plan to use natural gas to produce nitrogenous fertiliser. Allen asked whether UK references included Northern Ireland and about imports from there; Bruton answered yes to the first question.
In view of the Parliamentary Secretary's admission that it is not possible for the Irish fertiliser industry to compete with the British, will he not agree that the continuity of employment here is very seriously prejudiced?
Comment on this
I agree it is a serious problem, but the Government's commitment to solve it is indicated by the fact that they have decided to insist that the major portion of our well of natural gas will be used for the manufacture of nitrogenous fertiliser which will ensure that the competitive imbalance will be eliminated.
Comment on this
I will put a few short questions to the Parliamentary Secretary. When he talks about the UK in this context does he include Northern Ireland? In regard to calcium ammonium nitrate, which is a nitrogenous substance, is he aware of imports of nitrogenous fertilisers from Northern Ireland?