Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Dooley for giving me the opportunity to make a brief intervention with regard to this industry. I regret that we must raise this matter, but unfortunately Microsemi has given notice of its intention to lay off most of its workers.

It intends to retain a limited presence in Ennis, which is welcome. Perhaps in the next year or so, following reorganisation, it might be possible to retain a number of jobs at the plant. The company had not decided to leave immediately. The 2002 census highlights success in the Ennis area with total employment at 9,700 compared with 6,700 in 1996. Shannon Development has worked hard with other development agencies and a new 46,000 sq. ft. high-tech park has been built in the grounds of Our Lady's. A plant has been opened on the Quin-Doora road and an industrial estate is planned on the Kilrush road. A number of new commercial developments are taking place in the town.

I deplore the comments made by public representatives last weekend who stated it was time to close the gates of the Gort road industrial estate, on which Microsemi is sited. That would mean the gates would be closed on more than 200 people employed on the estate. Most of the lots on the industrial estate are occupied and it is regrettable that people have engaged in such a hysterical reaction to this closure and have not put forward positive solutions to attract industry to Ennis. Gates are opening, not closing, around Ennis. I wish the Minister of State well in his new office and we are hopeful further gates will be opened. It is not our intention to close gates in Ennis. These comments were made by people who ran in the last election and proclaimed they would solve all Ennis's problems.