Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)

How can the Taoiseach say that jobs will not be lost when people have to move, and those who provide services in the local economy which are dependent on these people will obviously suffer? It is a major dislocation. What is the rationale? The Taoiseach cannot even argue that there are economic benefits to the closure. Is the resignation of Deputy Penrose giving Fine Gael and the Labour Party pause for thought? Deputy Penrose has been here since my own days in the Labour Party, which is almost longer ago than I can remember. Obviously he has a significant history in the party, and his resignation must be taken seriously. What position does this put the dozens of new Labour Party Deputies in?

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