Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is very unfair. I said this afternoon I am prepared to listen to the Deputy's concerns and convey them to the relevant people. We know some of the plants are going for public auction. It is not for me to decide who will buy those plants, whether they are new or existing owners. I sympathise with the Morrissey family and I have made that quite clear. They are in business since 1930 and know it inside out. Something clearly went wrong in the company over the years as it went into examinership and then it was put back into receivership again. I will not comment on it further except to say I will convey the Deputy's deep concerns as he has outlined them this evening. As a Minister of State with responsibility for trade and business, I will do that. The most important action is to try to ensure the families remain employed. There is an upturn in the economy and there will be a demand for construction, quarrying and concrete products throughout the regions. Let us wait and see what happens. Rather than personally attacking us this evening, the Deputy should see what happens. I will convey his concerns.

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