Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State. Few towns have suffered so badly in recent employment history as Ballinasloe. It is regrettable that as far back as two and a half years ago the Tánaiste established a task force representative of all the agencies and said Ballinasloe would become an industrial development priority for the future. Two and a half years on, no commitment from any Government agency or the Government directly has brought a single job to Ballinasloe. While some jobs have been created in the town, that was as a result of the initiative of a local private personal group which was formed as a direct result of the situation.

Two weeks ago 385 jobs were lost at Square D, which had been a very good employer. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. As far back as October the Government knew there were difficulties with regards to this company, yet nothing was done. At the time the national spatial strategy was introduced it was aware of this, but Ballinasloe was bypassed. On the day of the announcement that we were to lose those jobs the Tánaiste said Galway was only 40 kilometres down the road and Athlone only 16. That epitomises the total insensitivity on her part to the plight of those who lost their jobs, their families and the total hinterland represented.