Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)

In the past week a shattering and demoralising blow has been inflicted on the diligent and committed workforce at Premier Foods, Thurles, County Tipperary. This company and the Erin brand, synonymous with Thurles, announced that it was to cease production, resulting in the loss of 95 jobs.

The workforce and their dependent families have endured prolonged uncertainty and fear of the unknown. Arising from this decision, they face the prospect of coping with the daily pressures of life without a job and financial security. We have an obligation and responsibility to provide alternative job opportunities.

Will the Minister ensure the UK management of Premier Foods, the parent company of Erin, offers the current staff facing lay-off the maximum terms and conditions for redundancy? Will he also ensure every support and resource is made available by the State to these 95 people to assist them in seeking new employment?

I question the role of the Competition Authority in the demise of the Thurles Erin plant. The authority's decision that Premier Foods had to divest from the Erin brand at the beginning of the year cast a long shadow over the future of the Thurles plant and its viability. It is outrageous that the Competition Authority, operating autonomously, could make a decision which sounded the death knell of the Thurles plant.

The plant's closure concludes the gradual obliteration of the manufacturing base in Thurles. In the not too distant past, north Tipperary was home to some of the world's largest industrial companies such as Aventis Pharma, Antiger, Procter and Gamble, Tubex, BSN Medical and Irish-owned companies such as Irish Sugar.

North Tipperary has not benefited from significant foreign direct investment for many years. Throughout north Tipperary there are four international industries compared with 11 six years ago. It is critical that a large scale positive action campaign is initiated to secure industry for the region. To achieve this, it is vital that all parties concerned, from Government to development bodies and local business groups, embark on a cohesive, focused and coordinated course of action that will result in sustainable high quality industry locating in north Tipperary. It is crucial that the full services of the investment promotion unit of Shannon Development, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland are brought to bear in an attempt to attract the type of investment that Thurles and its hinterland deserve.

The Government must address the urgent need to create and attract high-tech, high-end jobs to Thurles and north Tipperary. To this end, it is imperative the Minster initiates a concerted and effective positive action campaign for the town and region. North Tipperary and Thurles are ideal locations for new business enterprises. Thurles is an excellent town which is well located and connected. The town enjoys an educated, vibrant and skilled workforce. It has many attributes that give it an advantage. It is time these were harnessed to provide the industries that the town and its people require.

The employment and job creation problems of north Tipperary are serious and require a specific coordinated response. I call on the Minister to act quickly with the aim of implementing proactive and positive measures to encourage and attract foreign investment to north Tipperary. It is imperative that sustainable, modern replacement industries be secured for Thurles as a matter of urgency.

See this speech in context