asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the progress that has been made towards the provision of a new industry for Cahir town, County Tipperary.

I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that negotiations are at an advanced stage for a project to occupy 6,000 sq. ft. advance factory space provided by the IDA.

I think there is no hope in the Minister's reply. Is the Minister aware that 615 people are unemployed in Cahir and that 4,500 people are unemployed in South Tipperary? Two industries closed down recently in Cahir, Weatherglaze Limited and Robert Wilson. Is the Minister aware that there is an advance factory lying idle? The Weatherglaze factory is also available.

They are all lying idle.

Will the Minister give any ray of hope to the people in this area?

I am aware that there are 615 people unemployed in the Cahir area. I am also aware that the IDA are engaged in active discussions to create employment in that area. I am not in a position at this stage, in view of the nature of the negotiations, to give any details. I would agree with the Deputy if he said that the problem of unemployment in the Cahir area was particularly acute by comparison with a number of other towns.

Will the Minister confirm that there is a food processing industry interested in setting up in Cahir? He visited the town some months ago and that was much appreciated by the people.

I can confirm it but I would prefer not to discuss the matter further because no purpose is served by teasing out the details of projects before they are off the ground.

Having regard to the acute problems in Cahir can the Minister confirm that the rate of IDA approvals for areas outside of Dublin and Cork are running at less than 15 per cent of total approvals?

That is a global question.

Deputy O'Kennedy should put down his own questions.

Obviously Deputy Molony is feeling the heat from his constituency. If he has something to say he should say it to the people of North Tipperary.

If the Deputy has a question to ask he should ask it himself and not come in on the back of other people's questions.

Can the Minister confirm that the level of approvals for areas outside of Dublin are less than 15 per cent?

This question relates to Cahir and unemployment in that town. I intend to confine the question to Cahir.

IDA approvals of small industry are up 100 per cent on last year.

That does not mean anything unless they start.

It is a major improvement.

It does not mean anything.

Of course they will start.