Annie Hoey (Labour) | Oireachtas source

My hometown has suffered reputational damage because of what has happened over the last couple of years. The people of the town, elected representatives, community leaders and people who have come to live in the town, both from around the country and abroad, all work hard to build it to be what I believe is a great town a great place to live. We have welcomed people to Drogheda for a very long time. Mosney is right beside Drogheda, which has become a thriving, multicultural, diverse town.

I implore the people who are either seeking election or who are currently elected to be mindful of the language they use and the leadership they show. I know the hotel said there will be no loss of jobs, but other people are saying there will be. All sorts of things have been flying around over the past 24 hours. Yet, ultimately, at the end of this, these are people's lives. I refer not only to the 500 people who may be coming to Drogheda, but also to the people who are fearful right now about their jobs. They just want a clear understanding of what will happen and how this will impact them.

I am incredibly proud of my town. I am incredibly proud to come from Drogheda, even though I have vacated it for some time. The people in the town work really hard to make it a thriving, welcoming place, both for tourists and those who live there. I implore the people who are involved in this, whether at elected level or otherwise, to be very mindful that their words have a deep impact both on those who are seeking to come to Drogheda and those who currently live in Drogheda and who are worried about what this may mean for them. Responsible leadership is important, now more than ever, from those elected representatives.