Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I appreciate these are early hours following on the dreadful announcement. I have corresponded directly with the Musgrave Group and received a response from that company today to my written appeal sent yesterday. I have it to say it has offered nothing and has guaranteed nothing. However, Musgrave has of course sought to recruit my support of calls for an end to the workers' protest at the now-closed store. That is about the sum total of what Musgrave has had to say. I fully understand the great upset and frustration of the significant workforce in this retail outlet. My purpose in raising this matter with the Minister is to make an appeal to him, whatever the restrictions or difficulties and whatever the limited opportunities that may be open to him, that he and his office should engage directly with Musgrave. I believe it would have been a better course had Musgrave not sought the appointment of a liquidator with all that entails but perhaps had sought the appointment of a receiver instead, who I believe would have ensured, at least for a time, the ongoing conduct of the business at that particular location. Consequently, over time, with the opportunity to elaborate further in respect of the engagement that had been ongoing between Mr. McConnon and Musgrave, a resolution could have been arrived at. I acknowledge it is not within the Minister's gift to turn around the position but his support would be greatly appreciated.

I believe I have had a cursory outline by the owner of the business of the status and the intent of that engagement. He certainly is convinced there was a workable way forward. I am of the view that he has contended with great difficulties over recent years and has managed to hold his position and to survive and is on a most definite course to ensure the continuation of his business and the great employment it has given. Moreover, I believe he is absolutely deserving of every support from the State apparatus. I again use this limited opportunity, for which I am grateful, to urge the Minister's engagement directly with Musgrave. I believe it can pull back from the brink at this stage and a very sad scenario can be set aside and a brighter prospect put in place on the main street of Castleblayney.

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