Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

I am pleased that, in this instance, not all of the jobs involved will be lost. I appreciate the fact that the chief executive of the relevant company telephoned me to outline the difficulties it is experiencing. It is a welcome development that approximately 100 of the Carlow employees will be retained at the Newbridge site.

I accept that we are living in extremely difficult times. However, there have been major job losses in Carlow and Athy. Employment in the industrial sector in south Kildare and Carlow has been badly hit, at companies such as Braun, Lapple, the Irish Sugar Company and a number of others in Athy. I understand that problems exist. However, I request that consideration be given, in the context of the overall picture, to the area to which I refer.

When I was employed by Braun, the workforce there numbered some 1,400. Now, however, the doors of what is a magnificent facility are to be closed. In addition, Lapple and the Irish Sugar Company were also been closed. Carlow is now a major unemployment blackspot. Some ten companies have also moved their operations out of Athy. The State agencies must consider what action to take in respect of this area and I ask the Minister of State to provide a commitment that they will do so.

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