asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the steps that have been taken and the progress that has been made to secure an alternative industry for the vacant Ferenka plant at Annacotty, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

A brochure on the Ferenka factory prepared by the liquidator in co-operation with the IDA has been circulated widely to possible interested parties. Senior representatives of the IDA have also had discussions with leading producers in Europe, the United States and Japan of steel cord and tyres for the purpose of promoting the take over of the Ferenka factory. Representatives of a number of these firms have already visited the Ferenka plant and arrangements have been made for several other such visits in the near future.

Can the Minister say whether there is any possibility of some tangible follow-up to the visits that have taken place? Such visits are a necessary part of the exercise, but we want to know whether there is any indication of another company taking over this plant or whether there is any possibility of the former ENKA company reopening there?

So far as the prospects for the factory are concerned, the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy has impressed on the IDA the importance of endeavouring to secure an alternative company for this plant. The liquidator has been retaining the factory and the machinery at full level and we are hoping that something will come of the IDA approaches. The authority are sparing no effort in their attempts to secure a company for this plant. So far as the second part of the Deputy's supplementary is concerned, I have not got information.

I have no wish to be awkward on this but we in the Limerick region are anxious to know whether negotiations have been commenced with any firm in this regard.

There are negotiations in progress with a number of companies regarding the plant.

Would it be possible through the IDA and the liquidator, to have lodged in the Dáil Library a copy of the brochure in question?

I am sure that could be arranged.

Are Ferenka among the companies with whom the IDA are in contact?

That information is not available to me but I doubt that that company is one of those concerned.

Without going too deeply into the matter, would the Minister not agree that perhaps Ferenka would be the most likely company to commence work there again if their market conditions were to change?

The Deputy can be assured that the IDA are exploring all avenues in their efforts to secure a firm for the plant.

But can the Minister say whether there have been any approaches to Ferenka?

For reasons of confidentiality it would not be fair to give the name of any company involved in negotiations with the IDA.

Can the Deputy give any reason as to why a company who decided only so recently to leave the plant would now wish to come back to it?

Conditions change.

Questions Nos. 32 and 33 postponed.