Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Something must be done about a task force for Mullingar because it has been bypassed on too many occasions. This facility is profitable so I do not know how the company could be seeking finance. SIPTU's intention is to initially try to preserve as many of the jobs as possible and I support it wholeheartedly in this approach. Why was there an effort to restructure the plant, with some voluntary redundancies leading to a certain amount of downsizing? Why did the company not take steps to modify the machinery and equipment - much of which was set up for producing cigarette packs and rolls below 30g - and adapt it to deal with the minimum pack size of 30g? The company had three years to adjust and invest. Why did it not do that?

I researched the closure of the Imperial production plants and distribution hubs in Nottingham and Nantes. They are now moving to Germany and Poland, which are in the EU so the tobacco directive applies there. I have to question this. I note from the statement by the company announcing the closure of its Mullingar plant that its remaining production from Mullingar will transfer to another of its manufacturing sites in the Netherlands. The latter is not in Asia or the USA but right in the heart of Europe. It is relevant to ask whether the company is using the increased EU regulations as a cover or a ploy to shut this factory? It is a question that affects the staff and they deserve to have it answered.

My predecessor, the late Jimmy Bennett, played a big role in obtaining the land on which the factory is built. I hope the maximum number of jobs will be preserved there. The employees will obviously be very well looked after and I hope the premises will be transferred to IDA Ireland, Westmeath County Council or somebody else to ensure it is preserved as a significant base to attract businesses to Westmeath.

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