Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

Hundreds of jobs have recently been lost in Hennigans, Allergan and the Bellacorrick peat-burning station. If one considers the losses at Bellacorrick, approximately 1,000 jobs have been lost in the area in the past five years. By contrast, three new power stations are being developed in the midlands while the Bellacorrick facility is closing with the loss of more than 200 jobs. A recent study indicated that 8 million tonnes of peat are available at Bellacorrick. In this context, there can be no reason not to rebuild the peat-burning station there.

There is no doubt that Mayo is the national employment blackspot, with a relative poverty rate 40% above the national average. Will the Minister acknowledge the existence of this employment problem in Mayo, particularly in north Mayo and Ballina, and will he prioritise this area as a location for job creation? We have seen approaches made to industrialists providing jobs in this country to ask them to relocate in China. Will the Minister consider the employment supports available for the overpopulated pale and provide better employment prospects for the west? Will he support the rebuilding of Bellacorrick, which has adequate stores of peat? It is the Minister's job to act and if he does not do so, the well-being of the next generation in this area is under threat.

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