James Bannon (Fine Gael)

We were disappointed that this plant, which was gutted by fire on 8 May last year, was not rebuilt. Public expectations were raised, only to be dashed again through falling victim to this Government's unique brand of deception and duplicity. Every politician seeking election had promised that the Glanbia meat processing plant would be up and running in the shortest possible time.

The Glanbia workers in Rooskey and the surrounding areas are disappointed with what has happened. Up to 400 jobs have been lost in the Longford-Roscommon-Leitrim areas. Many small farmers, whose livelihoods depended on the plant, will be ruined and shops and community businesses, etc, will be adversely affected. Following the deferral of Cardinal Health last year, this is a blow too many for our area. At the same time, I welcome Abbott Laboratories to Longford. This company will provide worthwhile jobs in the county. Longford County Council has moved fast and efficiently in granting it planning permission.

I raise this matter in the hope that the Minister will make a full and open statement as to what Government grants were made to Glanbia and what intervention measures were taken by the Government to attempt to keep it open. The people of Longford trusted the Government promises that Glanbia would be rebuilt. They deserve a detailed breakdown of the measures that were presumably taken in an effort to save the plant. Nearly 14 months after the Glanbia plant was destroyed, the company finally stated that it would not reopen the Rooskey facility but would instead invest in its plants at Edenderry and Roscrea. This has left the Rooskey workers in a precarious position, with over 400 families affected. Over and above those who worked in the plant, shopkeepers and other sections of the community have been affected.

It has been estimated that the cost of rebuilding the plant would be in the region of €30 million. A similar sum is now being invested in the other two facilities. Does this sum represent Government grants given specifically for Rooskey? Did the Government offer any financial incentives to Glanbia to retain the Rooskey plant?

I do not need to go over the number of promises to the midlands this Government has broken. They are too numerous to mention. The figures speak volumes and they have been documented in both local and national newspapers since the Government returned to office. Even during the previous five years there was little or nothing delivered to this area. It deserves better treatment than it is getting.

Generations of local people have worked at the Rooskey plant since the 1940s. There was a great pig processing plant there which was a source of regular local employment. I compliment the Hanley family from Rooskey which provided those jobs for the area during bleak times. The plant was later taken over by Irish Country Meats and latterly by Avonmore which became Glanbia. All that is left of this once thriving plant is the cannery facility. As the rest of the 40 acre site lies idle, it is important a facility is put in place. We must ensure that Cardinal Health comes to Longford when it comes on stream. It has been promised and a huge workforce is available.

The grim news for Rooskey follows the closure of the Atlantic Mills factory which is only six miles up the road from Rooskey in the Tarmonbarry-Clondra area. It employed over 500 workers at its peak. These closures show a total disregard for the counties of Longford and Roscommon. I call on the Minister to face up to her responsibilities to the people of Longford and Roscommon. Adequate measures must be put in place to assist workers, and their dependent families, affected by this closure. I look forward to the Minister's response.