asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he has any proposals to assist the textile industry to improve its international competitiveness.

The Government Task Force on Employment have accepted the recommendations of the sectoral development committee in their report on the clothing and textile industries. The recommendations are designed, among other things, to improve the international competitiveness of these industries. A copy of this report is in the Dáil Library.

Arising from that report, the task force decided that the existing sectoral consultative committee for the clothing and textile industries should continue in order to provide a tripartite focus for:

(a) monitoring and reviewing progress on the implementation of the sectoral development committee's recommendations for the sector.

(b) identifying further co-operative action between the State, employers and trade unions for the development of these sectors of industry, including long-term strategies, and recommending appropriate follow-up action.

As in the case of other sectors, the development of the textile industry is a matter primarily for the individual firms themselves. The State will provide assistance, where appropriate, to encourage such development.

Will the Minister of State not agree that it is also a matter for the Government to provide the necessary economic basis that will enable our textile industry to be competitive? Have the Government any plans to deal with selective energy pricing facilities for the textile industry, assisting the industry by way of VAT reductions or giving them a measure of protection by brining in some form of special deposit scheme, as was brought in by other EEC countries in recent times when their textile industries were in difficulties?

The Deputy will be aware that some of the suggestions he made are not matters for my Department. When published, the White Paper on Industrial Policy will contain some proposals that will assist industries generally, including the textile industry.