Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)

I welcome my constituency colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Hoctor. While I am pleased she is taking this Adjournment debate, I am disappointed the relevant Minister is not addressing this serious issue.

As the Minister of State is aware, Erin Foods in our constituency finally closed this month with a loss of the remaining 96 jobs. This time last year, the plant employed more than 130 people. From its formation in 1962 until the 1970s and 1980s, the company employed up to 300 people. Erin Foods was established as a subsidiary of the Irish Sugar Company and is the final link with the Irish sugar producing era. The Minister of State's party colleague from Nenagh had the privilege of closing the sugar factory in Thurles.

I am anxious to learn what hope the Government can give to the people of Thurles, bearing in mind that the IDA has let down north Tipperary which has not secured foreign direct investment for 24 years. Perhaps there is significance in the fact that the Minister of State's party has been in control of North Tipperary County Council for the past 24 years. Thurles has not been given due regard from the other authorities, although I compliment Shannon Development on opening a technology park. Under a master plan, another park will be developed in the medium to long term at Archerstown outside Thurles. What hope can the Minister of State offer the workers of Thurles for retraining? What hope can she offer them for attracting employment back into Thurles? The Government's national spatial strategy has been a disaster for Tipperary. There is neither a hub nor a gateway, and Thurles is not included in it. This is what has happened.

In order to create employment, we need to tackle the issue of competitiveness and costs. These problems are being exacerbated by the lack of proper finance for local government, which then has to introduce stealth taxes. These taxes impact on ordinary people who want to set up business, as they must pay substantial charges to the county council before they even turn a sod. Thurles is crying for an initiative from this Government. I am looking forward to the Minister of State's response on initiatives in the pipeline that will attract industry and employment to Thurles. The last major manufacturing industry closed a few days ago, which is a tragedy for the area.

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