John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)

I spoke to her earlier this evening and she has assured me that announcement is imminent. I welcome the fact that the Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, who is attached to the office of the line Minister, is here tonight to listen to our concerns. He, too, has been more than helpful in this situation through his responsibility for FÁS and other agencies and I appeal to the Government to ensure we have the fullest support for those people. I further appeal to the Tánaiste, the Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher and the Government on job replacement.

I have mentioned this on a few occasions recently. A business park was opened in Askeaton 20 years ago when the State agreed to buy 200 acres of land. Not one sod was turned on that business park and not one job was created. With respect to Limerick city and my colleague's constituency, they have had the benefit of many thousands of job announcements over a number of years because multinationals tend to go to the urban centres. We have an ideal opportunity for the Newcastle-Wests, Kilmallocks and Askeatons of County Limerick to take up the slack and create employment there. I have the fullest confidence. The Tánaiste has identified the proper person to head up the task force and personnel to take part in it. She will be totally committed to ensuring we can replace many of the jobs lost in county Limerick.

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