Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

Ba mhaith liom iarraidh ar Cheannaire an tSeanaid cuireadh a thabhairt don Aire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta, an Teacha Martin, teacht anseo chun cheist fíor-tábhachtach — cúrsaí dífhostaíochta san iar-thuaisceart — a phlé. Tá mé ag caint go háirithe faoi Chontae Dhún na nGall, áit ina bhfuil go leor fostaíocht caillte sna seachtaine agus míonna atá thart. Tharla sé arís i rith na seachtaine nuair a chaill daoine i monarcha atá lonnaithe in eastát tionsclaíochta Ghaoth Dobhair a gcuid postanna. Tá 80 post cailte sa monarcha úd ón samhradh.

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the serious issue of unemployment in the north-west region. Last week there was a request in the House to discuss Shannon Airport and the impact that the withdrawal of Aer Lingus flights to Heathrow would have on the broader Shannon region. It was correct to request such a discussion although it has not taken place in this House. However, there was a discussion in the Dáil.

There also must be a discussion about the north west. This week there were further job losses in the Donegal Gaeltacht. Although the number of job losses might appear small to Members of the Oireachtas, a total of 80 jobs have been lost in one company since the summer months, 12 of them this week and 24 last week. This is at a time when other factories are closing down in the Donegal Gaeltacht and other job losses are occurring. The losses might be absorbed if Donegal was on a par with the rest of the island but the county has 18% unemployment, the highest levels of poverty and the lowest levels of disposable income. It is a serious issue which every Senator must tackle. It is unacceptable that we allow part of the island to be left isolated, as has happened with Donegal and the north-west region.

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate in the House in order that we can address this issue and seek action instead of rhetoric. Donegal must become more than an afterthought for the Government, as it has been for years. I am seeking the opportunity to address these serious issues in the debate.