John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)

With respect to the Minister of State, I am astonished. Where is the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, or the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen? Deputy Tim O'Malley holds a health portfolio. It demonstrates the arrogance of the Government that it sends a Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children in to answer on an issue where 120 jobs are being lost in Sligo. It is not good enough, it is absolutely appalling. Where are the Ministers of State, Deputies Killeen and Michael Ahern, and the Minister, Deputy Martin? This is the arrogance and intoxication by power of this Government when the people of Sligo are losing 120 jobs. I have nothing personal against the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, but he is a Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, not the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. How can he answer me about the jobs being lost in Sligo? That is how arrogant the Government has become.

At total of 122 jobs have been lost with 60 days notice, meaning workers and their families will find themselves out of work before Christmas. It is never good to hear an employer is leaving the country but it is particularly difficult so close to Christmas. This is compounded by a Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children coming into the House to deal with an issue that falls under the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Tractech has been based at the Finisklin industrial estate since 1984, where it manufactures mechanical parts. Employees of that plant have worked diligently. Tractech is an important employer in Sligo and yesterday's decision is a major blow to the area. It is worse that the company was bought by another company, Eaton Corporation, 12 weeks ago. Did the Minister have talks with Eaton when it acquired Tractech — I am certain he did not — and were there any conditions attached to the sale? This is a highly profitable company where the staff have been there for 20 years but the company that bought it 12 weeks ago is now pulling out. Is that allowed? This is a major employer. Perhaps the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment is over with the American parent company, although I doubt it. Did he have any talks with Eaton Corporation? I doubt it.

Everything must be done to stop Tractech leaving Sligo. I am very disappointed that the Government attaches such importance to this issue that it sends in a Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children to deal with it. That says it all. It is a damning indictment of the Government's attitude to the north west and to Sligo if this continues. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment must travel to Ohio to meet Tractech's parent company, Eaton Corporation. I demand to know what he is doing about this. We were informed a task force would be set up but we do not want it. We will not be fobbed off in Sligo about this. A total of 120 jobs will be lost and this is on top of the loss of 560 jobs in Hospira, a sister company of Abbot Ireland. The Government is only able to push companies out of Ireland instead of encouraging them to stay. The Government states this is inevitable because of stacked-up costs but this is the rip-off Government. Every employer in the State is being ripped off by the Government and that is why companies are leaving.

I hope the Minister of State will tell the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment that I want him in Sligo. He has a job to do because giving workers 60 days' notice is not good enough. I guarantee this issue will be raised in the House again and the Minister will have to deal with this issue. His attitude towards the House is appalling and I am not surprised these jobs are moving from Sligo given his attitude.

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