asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the present position regarding the closure of a factory (details supplied) in Castlerea, County Roscommon; the number of jobs lost; and the steps taken to rescue the project.

: Despite considerable efforts by the IDA to have it taken over as a going concern, this company went into voluntary liquidation on 24 January 1983 with the loss of 14 jobs.

Since then the Industrial Development Authority have been actively seeking a replacement project for the factory. At present the authority are at an advanced stage in negotiations to that end with an overseas company.

: I would ask the Minister to do everything possible in respect of the Castlerea area where there are so few job opportunities. I wish the Minister and the IDA every success in securing these new job opportunities. As Deputy for that area I will lend all the support I can to ensure the reopening of that factory.

: Arising out of the Deputy's good wishes, he can be assured that my Department and the IDA will do all in their power to have the factory taken over as soon as possible.

10.

asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if he will investigate the circumstances surrounding the closure of a factory (details supplied) in Roscommon; the number of jobs lost; the action taken to rescue the project; and the prospects for an alternative industry there.

: As the Deputy is aware, this company ceased operations in Roscommon in October 1982, with the loss of 22 jobs. Up to that time the IDA had been working closely with the company to overcome production difficulties arising from the unsuitability of its premises. The IDA were prepared to consider providing grant assistance for the relocation of the project in a new premises in Roscommon and offered to provide an IDA factory premises but these proposals were not acceptable to the management of the company.

The IDA are continuing discussions with the promoter about the possibility of resuming manufacture in Roscommon of some of the products previously produced there and are prepared to make available for this purpose one of their cluster units at Roscommon.

: I want to make the Minister aware of the situation there.

: You cannot make him aware of anything. That is a wrong introduction. You will have to ask him a question.

: Is the Minister aware that the managing director of this firm decided to close it down, laid off the work force and made them redundant against their wishes? I am very anxious to see an alternative industry opened but I must point out that this individual has not endeared himself to the work force in Roscommon. Furthermore, the Minister should be aware of my views that this individual should not be assisted anywhere else in the country because of his attitude to the work force and employment generally in Roscommon. He has now, I understand, set up in the Dún Laoghaire area——

: That is a speech. Questions are for seeking information, not for making speeches.

: Questions are also for conveying information.

: It is not in order.

: I will say finally——

: You will not say anything. That is the snag. You will ask a question.

: I am asking the Minister to ensure that an alternative company be provided in Roscommon and furthermore that the IDA should not lend any financial support to this individual anywhere else in Ireland because he was not prepared to support the work force in Roscommon.

: I am very reluctant to make any statement with regard to the employer or the work force.

: I do not think it is in the best of taste to introduce personalities to questions like this.

: There is no IDA grant aid provided for the company which the Deputy referred to and in which he says this gentleman is currently involved. I reiterate that the IDA offered to provide a more suitable factory premises for him in Roscommon and we were disappointed he did not avail of the offer.