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

I understand the Minister of State's response and at this stage all we can do is rely on the court to appoint an examiner to give the company protection. I hope that will happen. When the Minister returns from his trade mission to Beijing, we would welcome a meeting with him to see what can be done because it is much easier to protect what is there than to try to create something new. Approximately 160 jobs are involved and many people are indirectly employed in the area. We saw this when the sugar plant was closed. The impact of the closure was felt not only in Carlow town but throughout the south east. The dogs on the street were shouting that we had to do something about the sugar industry at the time. I understand we cannot intervene in the context of the courts, but we, as public representatives, who are representing the workers have to be seen to do something. I thank the officials from the Department of Social Protection who met the workers with me in the Dolmen Hotel in Carlow last Friday. I thank the Department for being proactive in outlining their entitlements and updating their files as they would have had to wait for weeks for benefit if the unfortunate had happened.

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