Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

The announcement by Galen Pharmaceuticals that it is not now going to develop a factory in Ardee is not a surprise to me. The company's financial position has been less than inspiring of late and there are rumours that its plant in Coleraine is in financial trouble. Nevertheless, the announcement is a blow to the people of Ardee and that is why I am raising the issue.

The Tánaiste should outline what is being done to bring employment to the County Louth town of Ardee. What efforts has she, her Department or its agencies been making? Can we expect success in this regard in the near future? Ardee has no substantial industrial base and has been neglected for decades by successive Governments. Will the Tánaiste visit Ardee and by doing so demonstrate to the people of the area that she at least knows where it is located? The town council has issued an invitation to the Tánaiste on three occasions without even a reply, much less a visit.

It is important to set the record straight about the issues of planning permission which arose for Galen Pharmaceuticals in Ardee. Concerns arose about emissions from the proposed factory and local residents rightly expressed concern about how such emissions would be monitored. It was their legal right and, arguably, their obligation to protect the environment, their health and the health of their children. These citizens are in no way responsible for the decision taken by Galen Pharmaceuticals and to say otherwise is to undermine our appeals process and excuse a pharmaceutical company from its obligations to the entire community. The judicial review was due to be heard on 6 May but was postponed until 26 May because An Bord Pleanála was not in a position to proceed. Does anyone believe that a decision due in less than two weeks would cause a company to pull out? I certainly do not.

Now that Galen Pharmaceuticals has left, it is the urgent responsibility of the Tánaiste to attract jobs to Ardee. These need not be from the transnational companies sector. Greater assistance to indigenous companies and business might yield greater and longer lasting results for the town which so badly needs increased employment opportunities for its residents.

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