Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Everything appears brighter than previously and people are more hopeful. It is timely, therefore, that the Irish embassy to the Vatican is going to be reopened. I reiterate that I greatly welcome this development.

I hope some fruitful dialogue is taking place regarding that most important company, Liebherr. As has been stated previously, this company employs 670 people. Some 149 of those were taken on in the past two years. Liebherr also employs 40 apprentices. Senator O'Sullivan and I come from the south west and we are both aware that the work done at the Liebherr plant is invaluable, particularly in view of the enormous spin-off to which it gives rise for the local economy and for the country as a whole. I hope that common sense will prevail and that the people in SIPTU will step back from the brink. It is most important that this happens.