John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to be clear at the outset as to why I am raising the sale of nine lots in a quarry portfolio in counties Carlow and Wicklow. I am doing so on behalf of the people I represent. Over 100 families are employed by the company concerned. I ask the Government to intervene with a bank which is owned by the taxpayer, AIB, to ensure the sale will not go ahead or that it will not go ahead without discussing the matter with the Morrisseys, the family who own the lots. A lot is riding on the sale. Some 100 jobs are in the balance, as well as what they contribute to the local economy. The sale will also have an impact on the marketplace because there are three super players in the quarry industry in this country who control everything. A previous quarry sale resulted in the closure of viable entities. As a result, there were job losses and a lack of competition in the market. If Morrisseys is not kept in the market, there will be job losses and a further deterioration in the level of competition in Ireland. The company supplies most of the county councils in the south east. It has a 100-year record and worked with AIB while in receivership, fulfilling almost €3 million worth of contracts in the course of the receivership. It has an excellent record with AIB, yet it is being forced into a public sale. Instead of this, AIB could very easily get value for the sale which involves a sum in the region of €4.6 million by selling properties directly to the Morrisseys who currently own the quarries. There would be no loser if the sale was conducted in that way. The bank would achieve value for money. The money would be raised privately and not involve AIB money. The 100 jobs and competitiveness in the marketplace would be maintained and it would ensure a company which has worked for 100 years in the local community was kept in business.

If we can do anything through a bank which is owned by taxpayers, this is one step we could take to show the people of Ireland that we are interested in their plight and attempting to save jobs and indigenous businesses. It is one action the Government could take to show that it is interested. That action should be taken by the Minister for Finance today. He should contact AIB and instruct it to hold off on any sale until it negotiates with the current occupiers of the quarries, the Morrisseys. In terms of the impact on the local economy should the quarries be closed, separate from the level of competition in the market, 100 families will be affected. The suppliers of goods and services to these quarries will also be affected. If we have an interest in rural Ireland, this is the time to stand up.

In its advertising, AIB states it is "backing brave". Let it back the brave who spent 100 years building a company and worked with it during receivership, kept jobs and fulfilled contracts. Let it back the brave who are still willing to work with AIB, using their money, and allow them to stay in business. That is the challenge for the Government if it wants to save jobs and continue what is a very successful business, notwithstanding the effects of the downturn.

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