Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I seek the adjournment of the House under Standing Order 32 to discuss a matter of urgent national and regional importance, namely, in light of the confirmation this week by the chief executive officer of Elan that the company has plans eventually to dispose of its existing operation in Athlone town, there is now great fear within the local community that the company is planning to transfer its new biological processing plant with 500 potential jobs from Athlone to Dublin. There is an urgent need for the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to intervene directly to secure these new jobs at the Athlone site not only to support the local economy and this flagship regional employer, but to protect the long-term industrial policy of consecutive Governments and the national spatial strategy by bringing foreign direct investment to the regions.

See this speech in context