Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

I have answered questions on numerous occasions and on Adjournment debates in this House from many Deputies, particularly Deputy O'Donnell opposite. He has a very strong concern about the impact of the job losses in Dell on Limerick and the mid-west region and the further spiral of job losses this will create. We all accept that. We are all practising politicians in this House and we on this side of the House are fully aware of the concerns of public representatives and, more important, the devastation job losses can cause to the employees, families and the broader community. Any practising politician would be well aware of this because no constituency is immune to potential job losses, or they have happened in previous times. We are well aware of the concerns out there.

The Government wants to keep this on the agenda because we must acknowledge a number of very important points to which Deputy Cregan alluded. Dell is still in Limerick. It is a very good employer and we want to ensure the contribution Dell has made to the mid-west region for many years since it came——

See this speech in context