Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman for the opportunity to ask questions at this meeting. I am from Offaly, so Derrinlough is my main interest, but both Littleton and Derrinlough are very big employers in their respective areas. In a rural area, 61 employees is a lot, and the same applies in Littleton.

Has the company decided how it will clear the stock, which amounts to 44,000 tonnes? Will it consider a discounting policy in order to sell the stock?

What efforts is Bord na Móna making to encourage farmers in the locality to provide biomass to the best possible extent? A large quantity of biomass is being imported and the use of local supplies would be preferable and very helpful. I am receiving representations from workers and their unions who are concerned about certain issues that may have been raised by other members. I appreciate that we cannot discuss ongoing negotiations. The feeling I have got is that change is happening and it might be useful if the company entered into greater engagement with the workforce about the type of change involved. The workers are fearful for their future. Many of them have been good decent and loyal workers. Bord na Móna is a highly respected company in the midlands and it has a tremendous reputation. However, the workers are the ones who contribute so much to that reputation and they are the people we politicians are concerned about, because Bord na Móna employs so many people. We want to ensure that the workers are happy and contented in their employment and that there are no fears or concerns for their future. What kind of engagement has the company had with the employees in order to alleviate the concerns I hear from them, such as reductions in salaries and forced redundancies? We need to be 100% clear in that regard.