Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I am aware of the sudden closure of the company in question which came about on Friday and, as the Senator said, without prior notice. Shannon Development, the industrial development agency with responsibility for the company in the mid-west region, immediately advised the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

This was a long-established company in Ennis. It was established as Thermofoil Print Limited in 1984. In early 2001 it was acquired by its present owners through a subsidiary company taking a 75% shareholding in the original company and one of the founders of the original company retaining the other 25%. It received considerable financial assistance from Shannon Development during the years.

The company designed and produced specialised products for the domestic market. Its main product areas were greeting cards, packaging, annual reports and promotional colour printing. I understand it had a good reputation as a specialist in a range of printing options, including full colour printing, embossing, watermarking and carton manufacture. A substantial number of employees had been with it for a number of years. Traditionally, it had been regarded as a stable source of employment in Ennis.