Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the sensitivities of negotiations and so on. However, I am seeking clarity about the make-up of the task force. The Minister of State mentioned EI. What other agencies are represented on it? It is almost a year since the factory closed. The Queally family gave wonderful service and they did their best but the factory was not viable, which is sad. I asked Coolmore representatives at the time if they would be interested because they are the only employer in the area of note. I take on board what the Minister of State said about the county enterprise boards and LEOs but I do not know whether the LEO in Tipperary is properly constituted yet. Will they be similar to Leader companies, which we are debating on Private Members' business?

There is a lot of foot dragging and a failure to put measures in place. This plant is of enormous importance to the eastern part of south Tipperary where there are no other employers of that magnitude. I respect there are small and local employers and sole traders, but the town of Fethard has been hammered with the recession. I want to know the make-up of the task force, how many times it has met and whether there is a timeline for the production of a report.

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