Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would be the same myself. I will be honest about it. A total of 87 jobs will be lost at Imperial Tobacco. As I said at the beginning, every support from the agencies will be made available to address this situation. Our thoughts are with the workers and their families. Losing one's job is not a nice thing to happen to anybody, especially in the difficult environment we have at the moment. I assure the Senator that all the machinery of the State, including the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Social Protection, will be available to assist those workers and ensure alternative employment can be found for those who lose their jobs. This is something the Minister, the Minister of State with responsibility for training and skills and I will do.

I thank all the Senators for this very good debate. I listened to everybody and took notes on their contributions. It is good to see a lively, vibrant Seanad and to hear Senators speak on this subject. I look forward to working closely with them as Minister of State with responsibility for employment and small business.