Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the sentiment of Deputy Naughten's amendment. There is a lot of focus on, and discussion of, the traumatic effects of the closures in the midlands and what is likely to happen to those communities. We have a living example in Tipperary. The facility in Littleton was closed with the loss of 120 jobs, including seasonal jobs, and an associated loss of work for contractors, local suppliers and those who assisted and supported that industry. The Littleton plant was part of the fabric of the local community. In fact, the community was built around it. When Littleton first came into operation in the 1950s, schools and shops were built. The local community built houses around the facility. It mushroomed and became an industry that sustained a local community for a lifetime. People reared and educated their families and the local economy thrived. I shudder to think about what will happen in the midlands because we have seen an example in what has already taken place in Littleton. It has had a devastating impact on the local economy. People feel forlorn and desolate. There is no future and there are no alternative jobs.

It is disappointing to see Bord na Móna making these decisions without any forward planning. There is no semblance of a plan in place to replace the jobs lost or to assist the local communities. I agree that we should have a targeted programme and dedicated plan. That will obviously involve some form of tax incentive to encourage people who are prepared to invest or who have innovative ideas to establish in the area to give work and opportunities to local people.

The plant in Littleton and the examples to which Deputies Naughten and Cowen referred cover vast areas. They have huge workshops and all of the services that industry requires, including electricity, water, sewage and sanitation. Everything is of a very high standard and quality. These centres will be left and forgotten unless there is some kind of dedicated plan and co-ordinated approach. That will require additional incentives to attract people out of the cities down to local areas such as Littleton. I appeal to the Minister. A lot of money is available as a result of the carbon tax. Some of these funds should be diverted to support and assist industry in getting up and running in these areas. I ask that Littleton be one of the areas considered and that it be covered by the Bord na Móna transition fund.

The harsh reality has set in for us. The jobs are gone and the factories are closed. We have 10,000 acres of bogland stretching from Littleton up to the Laois border. What is to be done with it? There are obviously opportunities there. Bord na Móna has no plan to utilise that bog or to create opportunities and new alternative jobs. We need an approach from Government. Bord na Móna needs to be told that it has a responsibility and an obligation to these areas and to the families who relied on it for sustenance down through the years.

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