Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister referred to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. The Littleton briquette factory has been a victim of that particular policy, which I understand. Today is a very sad and difficult day because it is the last day of production at the plant. It closes this evening. It has been a very traumatic experience for the 120 people who have lost their jobs in Littleton.

I acknowledge and appreciate the Minister's assistance and support and that of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, in facilitating through Bord na Móna a redundancy package that was accepted by the vast majority of the workforce. What I and everybody in the local community are concerned about is that we have a plant that has made an enormous contribution to the economic and social life of the area. It is hugely important and beneficial to the local economy. We are now bereft of employment in that isolated area. I am asking the Minister to discuss with Bord na Móna what the future holds for the plant. How can we maximise and utilise the existing bog? How can we provide alternative employment opportunities for those people who have lost their jobs and their dependent families?

I am also concerned about security. We are talking about roughly 12,000 acres of bogland and we already have a lot of encroachment, trespassing and security issues. The local people are extremely concerned that the property will be vacated and that it will result in trespass of a serious nature, which has already taken place. Does the Minister have any suggestions or ideas? What discussions has he had with the executive of Bord na Móna about providing alternative jobs and employment at the site?