Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I was so interested in the health debate I forgot I was first to speak on the Adjournment. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for this opportunity to raise this important issue of the loss of 140 jobs in Clonmel, County Tipperary, last week after a difficult period for Bulmers. I also ask what support has been given to Bulmers, what will be done for the workers involved, what other employment is planned for the town and the county and whether the IDA has any further developments to report.

The cost-cutting programme includes the shedding of 140 full-time staff or about one fifth of the workforce in Clonmel, County Tipperary. The company employs almost 900 staff worldwide, 600 of whom are based in Clonmel. Before the latest layoffs in the last two weeks, Clonmel drinks company Bulmers had confirmed that more than half of the temporary jobs losses of last July were to become permanent. Some 46 of the 70 temporary jobs losses announced by Bulmers in the summer are now permanent. This is on top of the 140 job losses that were announced last week.

Another disappointment that is going unexpressed is that the company was meant to be in the middle of a period of expansion. Certain Deputies and candidates in the constituency during the last general election announced that this year the company would employ over 700. Like the healthy economy the Government promised us, these jobs have gone belly-up. This is a serious situation for a town such as Clonmel with an indigenous industry such as Bulmers and I am concerned to see this in a company with the history in the constituency of Bulmers.

I hope the Minister will deliver some positive news on Bulmers. It has had a great impact on the economy of south Tipperary. Since it went public, C&C has prospered and I am concerned to see job losses at this rate. I thank the Minister for coming to the House and addressing this important issue. I hope he will deliver something positive.

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