Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me the opportunity to speak about this most unfortunate issue. Dan Morrissey Irl. Limited is a company based in Carlow and Wicklow that is involved in the quarrying and concrete industry. It is a family-owned business servicing the construction and agricultural industries in the south east. The Morrissey family has ensured employment for hundreds of individuals and their families over the years through direct and indirect employment. It is also a great supporter of local organisations in Carlow town.

On Wednesday of last week, I was deeply saddened to hear that Dan Morrissey Irl. Limited had gone into receivership. The laissez-faireand somewhat cavalier attitude of AIB in this instance leaves a lot to be desired. To the workers' dismay, they turned up on Wednesday morning to find the gates of their employment had been locked. The workers received no explanation or information and had to rely on the local media for any information they were able to get. They were left in complete limbo as to the future of their jobs. The workers simply cannot understand why a bank in which this State has such a large stake can do this to them and I have some sympathy with them. The loss of 160 jobs from a local economy would be a crushing blow to any community let alone one that has already suffered ravages from the loss of the sugar beet industry and the Braun factory some years ago.

With the workers, I welcome the court decision last Friday to appoint an interim examiner until 14 July. Most of the workers have young families to support and mortgage repayments among other debts. The domino effect that this would create in Carlow would be significant. The fact that an interim examiner has been

appointed to Dan Morrissey Irl. Limited would perhaps indicate that there is a possibility of some resolution as I understand that the company does have over €4.5 million

worth of contracts on hand with blue chip clients like Carlow County Council. I fully support any measure that can be put in place that will assist in the survival of this company. We need to ask what we as public representatives can do to help ensure the sustainability and survival of this company which is so vital to Carlow and the south east as a whole.

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