andMr. Kirk asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if he will take immediate steps to preserve the 130 skilled jobs which have been lost because of the closure of a firm (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

: I very much regret the closure of this company due to adverse trading conditions and considerable over-capacity in the world market for the products made by it.

Substantial losses had been incurred by the company in recent years because of the big decline in its markets. In this period, a considerable amount of State aid was made available to the company in an effort to help it overcome its difficulties and to diversify. When, however, a recent consultancy study commissioned jointly by the IDA and Fóir Teoranta concluded that the company were not capable of again becoming viable, the appointment of a receiver was requested by the directors.

The Industrial Development Authority, in close co-operation with the receiver, are making and will continue to make every effort possible to secure an alternative industry for the factory.

: Would the Minister agree that the decision of the receiver not to continue the operations of Thomas McArdle Limited was unusual? Would he agree that every effort should have been made by the receiver to keep this industry operating until such time as he had the opportunity of selling it as a going concern?

: I am satisfied that every effort has been made by the receiver to find a replacement industry. It would be factual to say that it is very doubtful if a container type industry could be sited there because of over-capacity in the industry on a European basis. I would add that the company have received substantial State aid through the years. They received IDA grants totalling £1.72 million, Fóir Teoranta loan assistance of £550,000 and employment guarantee fund assistance of £412,900 approximately.

: I would regard the Minister's viewpoint as being far too pessimistic. Is the Minister aware that a number of industries in my constituency which were continued in operation by the receiver are now thriving as a result? Would he agree that the loss of 130 highly skilled workmen from the work force is a very serious matter and will he do everything in his power to overcome the problems facing that company?

: The Minister would consider the loss of one job, whether skilled or semi-skilled, a very serious matter. The Deputy will appreciate that the company was not lightly put into receivership and it was done only after a consultancy study had been commissioned and the report received.