Johnny Brady (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to respond to this issue. As Deputy Penrose stated, the announcement of the appointment of a liquidator to Iralco is a major blow to the region. With 420 jobs, it was the largest employer in the region. It is a rural area and it is estimated that Iralco contributes €8 million to the economy. People from not only north Westmeath were employed but also people from my town of Oldtown in the new constituency of Meath West and from up as far as Kells, Oldcastle and Moylagh. Deputy Penrose knows this area well——

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