asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy when the Industrial Development Authority first evolved and applied the concept of the industrial cluster.

The first such project, a cluster of five factory units, was approved by the Industrial Development Authority on 24 January 1973 for location in Sligo. Construction of this pilot project commenced in July 1974 and was completed in May 1975.

Is the Minister of State aware that the absent Minister in a speech delivered on 8 May last to the Limerick Shannon Rotary Club claimed as an initiative of his own the inauguration of those industrial clusters, apart from a couple of other things which are not his either?

I am not aware of what the Minister said on the occasion referred to by Deputy Kelly but I would mention that on 24 January 1973, the Minister, Deputy O'Malley, was a member of the Government when the decision was made to set up those clusters.

The Minister will force me to ask the Chair for leave to quote the Minister's address. He specifically claimed on 8 May that he had taken a number of initiatives, including this cluster programme, and including also provisions which were in the Industrial Development Bill promoted by the last Government which he revived in this Dáil.

The last Government did not make the decision. It was taken by the previous Government.

It is what is called a small little mind.