Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I asked the Minister what action he intends to take to stem some of the recent job losses in the manufacturing sector. We are all aware of the progress made in recent years and the level of job creation. However, during the past three months there have been a number of job losses as follows: 220 at Circum Solutions in Clondalkin, 70 at Smurfit Papermills in Clonskeagh, 55 at Parian China in Ballyshannon, 250 at Greencore in Carlow, 350 at Allergan in Westport, 200 at APW Enclosures in Tallaght and an announcement that 150 jobs will be lost at Castlemahon Foods in Limerick. That is a total of 1,094 job losses in the past three months and a worrying trend in the manufacturing sector. We have been warning for many years of the cost base required for Ireland to enable it compete against lower cost-based countries in the Far East, eastern Europe and China. The Minister will be aware from his recent trips, particularly the one to China, of the huge challenge for the manufacturing sector. I ask the Minister to co-ordinate a series of policies to keep costs down, not the 27 stealth taxes and charges introduced in recent years which need to be put aside. Waste management and energy are serious cost issues and there is not enough competition in the telecommunictions area. Will the Minister outline his proposals for policy changes to ensure Ireland is competitive in the manufacturing sector?

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