Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this matter. My colleague is right. Last Thursday's announcement was devastating for Mullingar. A total of 87 people and their families lost high-quality jobs. This is a business that has supported generations of families in Mullingar since its establishment in 1967. I have engaged regularly with the management since the announcement and I have been advised that it is dealing with the Department of Social Protection, officials from which will explain to employees the benefits to which they will be entitled. There will be some opportunities for redeployment for the staff. However, what is being done is not nearly adequate.

I will deviate slightly from what my colleague said. What is happening in this instance is the consequence of an EU directive relating to the size and weight of tobacco packs. As far back as February 2013, the previous Government was warned about how this directive could affect jobs in this area. Nobody could argue that tobacco smoke seriously damages health and we need to do all we possibly can to reduce the number of people who smoke. However, nobody consulted this company. There was no compromise. Ministers in the previous Government refused to meet representatives from the company in question, which runs a legitimate business. Meanwhile, smuggling and unauthorised developments continue along the Border. In February 2013, when the previous Government was informed of the consequences of the directive to which I refer, did it put in place any strategy to deal with alternative work for the workers who were going to lose their jobs? I appreciate the fact that the Minister took my call last Thursday and engaged with me. I ask her to instruct IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to prioritise Mullingar as a centre for development because not only have we lost these jobs, we have not benefited from any IDA Ireland visits in recent years. There was an increase in unemployment in the midlands, where Mullingar is located, in the first quarter of 2016. This is a top priority and I hope it is being treated as such by the Minister. I ask her to outline what she and her Department are going to do to ensure replacement work for those who have lost their jobs.

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