Abstract

This paper traces the development of a programme of Marshall Plan technical assistance to Irish industrial development. The programme emerged following criticism that US aid policy was downgrading Irish industrial development through an excessive emphasis on agriculture. In 1950 and 1951 the US Economic Cooperation Administration established a relationship with the Department of Industry and Commerce and the newly established Industrial Development Authority through a programme of proposed technical assistance projects. This programme covered the country’s untapped industrial potential, statesponsored companies and companies in the private sector. In relation to the private sector, the programme sought to tackle the issue of inefficiencies in the industries established behind high tariff walls since the early 1930s mainly by bringing US industrial consultants to Ireland. Just as an ambitious and elaborate Irish industrial TA programme was about to get under way, it was wrecked by the suspension of US aid to Ireland in January 1952. Some aspects of the proposed programme were carried out with Irish Government funding but well-resourced initiatives to tackle the shortcomings of protected private sector industrial firms through technical assistance schemes were not to materialise until full membership of the EEC became a central state strategy objective a decade later.