David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his lengthy and comprehensive response. This is an important issue for the people of Waterford but nobody in that county blames the Government for the fact that this company made this decision. We all accept that the company took a decision to consolidate its business in this State, whether we like it or not. That decision is very unpalatable for the workforce and the people of Waterford. However, there is a responsibility on the Government, the Minister, the Department and Enterprise Ireland to act. I am very pleased that not only is Enterprise Ireland alive to the need to do something but that it is actively working with potential investors. I very much hope that we can get one of those potential investors to secure development at the site and continue some sort of production there, thus securing employment at the site. It seems that is what Enterprise Ireland is working towards and it would be a very good day for Waterford if that can be secured.

Obviously, we still have to support the trade union in its efforts to change the minds of the decision-makers in Diageo but we live in the real world, where companies make such decisions all of the time. I commend Enterprise Ireland for its efforts and hope it achieves a good result for the workforce and people of Waterford.