Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for allowing me the opportunity to raise this issue. After listening to the previous speaker, I could easily spend some time discussing Tallaght Hospital, but I wish to discuss jobs. I express solidarity with my colleagues in Wicklow, Deputies Doyle and Timmins, who are experiencing the same trauma we in Tallaght suffered last Friday.

The Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, told me today that he shares my concern. On Friday and today, I raised these matters with the Minister, Deputy Martin, and I made clear to the Taoiseach how upset I am when I spoke with him today. It happens to every community, but we in Tallaght were shocked by what occurred last week. In fairness to the main political parties, we worked with the workers and management of Jacob's a number of years ago to create a situation in which proper investment would take place. I am glad that representatives of the workers are present because I not only have an opportunity to welcome them but to congratulate them on their positive response in recent days. They have been reasonable and should not be taken advantage of.

Like many of my generation, I remember Jacob's moving from Bishop Street in the inner city to Tallaght. I moved with an employer nearly 40 years ago and Jacob's came to Tallaght approximately 30 years ago. Over the years, it created good jobs and was a good employer, but I would not stand over what has occurred in recent years and days. I want to send a clear message through the Minister that what is occurring in Tallaght is not good enough. Management should have been more faithful to the loyal staff, many of whom went home last Thursday night believing there were no problems. They heard rumours overnight and on Friday and were then faced by the dreadful news that 220 production jobs and 40 seasonal jobs are to be shed in the next year or so. It is a big blow to Tallaght, the third largest population centre in the country where there is a young population. We need job creation, not job losses. The loss of this number of jobs at Jacob's on Belgard Road upsets the community in a considerable way.

I welcome the presence of the Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher. He will be supportive of my efforts in this regard. Tallaght needs job creation. These jobs must be replaced by equally good jobs, but we must also give special consideration to the plight of the workers at Jacob's who have been shocked by what has occurred in recent days. This morning, I explained to workers that I bring my life experiences to my politics. I apologise for telling the House, but I have been made redundant three times in my life, including twice in Tallaght. I am not ashamed of my background or my experiences. I know what it is like for those family members who woke up last Friday morning believing they were in good jobs, but who find themselves in a situation in which they need help. It is a blow to those people.

On Friday, I was critical of the company. The €10 million it is promising for redundancies and retraining is not enough and should have been used to modernise the plant. The company claims that the reason for the job losses is the plant. It should have been modernising the plant over the years and preserving the jobs. It needs to come up with more money. I read in The Sunday Times that the site is worth at least €100 million. If The Sunday Times states that, it must be right. It is good to see Deputy Brian Hayes is present to support me. He is also supportive of the workers.

I hope the Department's officials will make contact with the company as quickly as possible to make my concerns clear, namely, that the workers should be protected, properly retrained and get all of the facilities and resources they need to seek further jobs, which will not be easy. The company must ensure that proper redundancy payments are paid. I look forward not only to the Minister of State's reply, but to working with him to ensure these deals are kept.

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