Telecommunications dispute and IDA promotion
The Minister said the dispute harmed IDA promotion but only four of 45 planned industrialist visits were cancelled, and the agency still expected to meet its job-approval target. He had no evidence firms abandoned investments because of the dispute; O’Donnell urged a lasting settlement, warning further disruption could have serious effects.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the likely effects of the telecommunications dispute on the overseas promotion work of the IDA.
Comment on this
The telecommunications dispute was, of course, damaging to the overseas promotion work of the IDA. However, only a very small number of planned visits by overseas industrialists has been cancelled, and present indications are that the IDA's target this year for job approvals in manufacturing industry will be met.
Comment on this
Will the Minister indicate if decisions were taken by a number of firms not to proceed with the establishment of industries here because of the telecommunications dispute? If that is the case, what is the estimated number of jobs lost?
Comment on this
They are not the facts before me. For example, the practical effects of the telecommunications and airline strikes on visits of overseas industrialists are that out of a total of 45 itineraries only four visits were cancelled. We have no information to connect those figures——
Comment on this
Is the Minister aware of the recent disruption in the international telephone system? Further, is he aware that any escalation in this area will have disastrous consequences for areas that are the responsibility of the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy? Will he urge on the Minister the desirability and urgency of using his influence in the Cabinet to get decisions——
