Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I support the call from Senators Boyle and Buttimer that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment come to the House at the earliest possible time to debate the Amgen company's decision not to locate in east Cork. The Leader will be aware that one of his party colleagues, a Government backbencher, has already stated that his own Government misled the people of east Cork over the past two years and that Amgen had no intention of locating there. I cannot comment on whether that is correct but it is important to discuss job creation in east Cork.

The context of discussing job creation and job losses is different from that which pertained some months ago. In the run-up to the general election, a myth was created that the outgoing Government had sole ownership of some magic formula that would keep the economy growing strongly. The winds of economic change we have witnessed in recent months give lie to the view that the Government has ownership of some formula which will keep Ireland growing at 5%, 6% and 7% per year. The country faces major economic challenges and cutbacks in Departments are threatened. That is the new economic situation facing the Government and it needs further debate.

From the point of view of job creation in east Cork, the promised 1,000 jobs would have transformed east Cork and there would have been thousands of spin-off jobs. It is a huge blow to the region. We need to hear from the Minister what he knew in recent months and, more importantly, what he proposes to do to respond to this disappointing news.