Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I call for restraint and cool heads on both sides of the ongoing industrial dispute. In doing so, I speak as a former representative of the TEEU and a qualified electrician. While I understand the argument being made by both sides to the dispute, leaders on either side are using unhelpful language. I call for restraint and ask the Government to take all possible measures to assist them in reaching a resolution through negotiation. That is the obvious course of action. We could do without much of the adversarial comment we have been hearing in recent days as it serves only to escalate the problem to the detriment of the economy.

The European Union globalisation fund, which is worth €500 million per annum, is available to companies in which large-scale redundancies are made. While the fund was initially made available to companies with a workforce in excess of 1,000, it is now available to companies with 500 or more employees. I understand there has been engagement regarding the use of the fund in Limerick and the mid-west and the good news is that €20 million is being ring-fenced to assist those in the region who have been made redundant recently.

Will the Leader clarify whether the Government has applied for assistance from the globalisation fund for Waterford and the south east? As he will be aware, Waterford Crystal and many other companies in the region have made large-scale redundancies in the past year or so. More than 600 people have been made redundant at Waterford Crystal. As I have noted previously, the south east is highly exposed due to a large number of redundancies in the manufacturing sector. Will the Leader confirm that moneys from the globalisation fund have been ring-fenced for Waterford and the south east, a region that continues to be neglected by the Government? I will be pleased to commend the Government in the event that I receive such confirmation.