asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the reason for the very long delay in the publication of a new industrial policy; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

5.

asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism when a White Paper will be published on industrial policy.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together. The Government have completed their consideration of the White Paper on Industrial Policy and I plan to have it published within the next month.

Do I take it that the Government have finished considering the White Paper and that it is now only a matter of waiting for it to be published?

That is what I said. I will repeat it if necessary.

Does the Minister not think it strange that there are Ministers going around the House examining new ideas to be included in industrial policy? I could name two of them. This suggests that decisions have not been taken on industrial policy.

I would not mislead the House.

I do not think the Minister would.

I am telling the Deputy the facts. The Government have completed their consideration of this.

This is a very important document. It has been prepared over two years and we should not rush away from it. Will it be published during this Dáil session?

That depends on when the Dáil rises.

Can I take it that it will be published before the Dáil goes into recess?

Very likely it will be but it depends on when the Dáil rises. It will take about two weeks from now to bring it to the point where it will be ready for circulation.

Does the Minister agree that the Dáil should be in session when it is published?

That is a separate question.