Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I join with Senator Brian Hayes in calling for a debate on the competitiveness of indigenous Irish industry, with specific reference to the job losses at Waterford Crystal. The loss of 400 jobs in a town such as Dungarvan is devastating. It is not only the 400 jobs at the Waterford Crystal plant that will be lost, but also the jobs of the suppliers and the service providers for the plant. I call on the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to establish a jobs task force to secure replacement jobs for Dungarvan. I also call on the Minister to deliver on the promise of decentralisation and to speed up that process as a matter of urgency to assist the economy of Dungarvan.

In more general terms, I hope Waterford Crystal will invest the €30 million earned from the rezoning of property in its crystal division. The company gave a commitment to that effect and I hope the promise will be honoured.