Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

The decision by C&C to close the plant in Borrisoleigh and the manner in which that became public are absolutely deplorable. I can only describe as shameful the fact that workers and their families learned of the closure from the pages of The Irish Timesand local radio. It is a disgraceful way to treat workers who have given loyal service at Gleesons for many years - some for as many as 30 years - and their families. The closure is a hammer blow to workers and their families and to the town of Borrisoleigh, which has depended on this business for generations.

When C&C acquired Bulmers in Clonmel and Gleesons, we were told of a bright future with expansion plans, but in fact the opposite happened and the company shredded jobs, in both Clonmel and Borrisoleigh, and slashed wages and conditions of employment. The closure of the Borrisoleigh plant is completely unnecessary and is being done solely in the pursuit of more profit. It is about greed. This company is already very profitable. Its latest half-year accounts, to the end of September of last year, show a profit of €62.5 million. It has become obvious that the acquisition by C&C of Gleesons was done with the clear intention of closing the plant by stealth.

It is clear from a reply to the Dáil in November of last year, just short of three months ago, that the Minister was aware of the situation with C&C and he had directed his officials to enter discussions with it. What discussions took place, when did the Minister become aware of the proposed closure, what actions has he taken to try to prevent that closure and what actions does he now intend to take to prevent that closure?

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