Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)

The Leader may recall that, on the Order of Business on Tuesday, I raised the closure of Miza Ireland in Roscrea, County Tipperary, and asked her to call on the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney, to intervene urgently. I regret that she did not respond to my request and that the Tánaiste failed to intervene. I ask her to invite the Tánaiste to the House as a matter of urgency in order to outline the packages and assistance available to the workers of Miza Ireland who lost their jobs yesterday afternoon which, unfortunately, coincides with the lead-up to Christmas and outline the job creation plans, if any, she has for north Tipperary. This area has become a black spot since the closure of at least five major companies in the past 18 months, which is an outrageous record for any Government. The Minister has failed to visit County Tipperary since the first closure was announced. It is poor consolation to the workers of Miza Ireland that she is able to take a helicopter to Ballinamore, County Leitrim, to open an off-licence, yet she will not come to north Tipperary to look after the well-being of the workers.