I’m sure similar sentiments have been expressed by our other public representatives in the County, but the only 2 I have to hand are from Liz McManus and Billy Timmins.

Both are calling on Government to find alternative employment for workers. What jobs can be created though? This is the million dollar question. This isn’t just a question for Government. We are all in this boat together and what is needed now is for all parties to join together and come up with ideas – and quick. Listening to Brian Cowen today in the Dail talk, it would seem that there really isn’t anything to worry about in the Irish economy. He said :

“we have a dynamic and well-educated labour force, we have flexible markets that allow us to respond efficiently to adverse developments, we have a pro-business, outward-looking society, our public finances are sound, as indicated by the low level of public indebtedness, our unemployment rate is among the lowest in the euro area and our tax rates on capital and labour are low. Therefore, while there are risks to the economic outlook and overall sentiment has deteriorated in recent weeks, we are meeting these challenges from a position of relative strength.”

Tell that to the workers in Arklow and their families this evening who are faced with an uncertain future……

-Statement from Liz McManus-

The closure of the Allergan facility in Arklow, with the loss of 360 jobs is a shocking blow to the local economy. My thoughts first and foremost are with those workers who now face such an uncertain future.

I am calling on the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Micheal Martin to organise meetings with the IDA and public representatives in the county to discuss the urgent situation that has arisen, and to come up with a plan to provide alternative employment for those who now face the devastation of having lost their jobs.

Minister Martin should immediately focus on facilitating the retraining of the workforce and on sourcing new jobs for a town that already has a unacceptably high unemployment level. In the aftermath of the closure of the IFI plant in Arklow, the Govt’s job creation record in the town has been one of failure. Despite repeated promises, the Arklow has never benefited from any Govt decentralisation.

It is important that all of the agencies of the state cooperate to provide every assistance to the employees and their families at this time. Unfortunately to date there has been no evidence of any joined-up thinking between the various agencies, and this is something that needs to be addressed. It is now clear that we need direct Govt intervention to safeguard the economic future of the town, and Arklow must become a priority area for job creation.

With the announcement of the closure of Jacobs in Tallaght, this is the second piece of bad news on the jobs front, in less than a week and it seems to be forming a pattern in the Irish economy. Throughout the country we have had a series of announcements of job losses particularly in the manufacturing sector and this must ring alarm bells for the Government.

-ENDS-

-Statement from Billy Timmins-

“I am shocked to learn of the 350 job losses in Arklow, and I wish to express my sympathy with the people of the area.

“At same time I am calling on the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment to take immediate and effective steps to find an alternative industry for the area.

“I look forward to meeting the minister as soon as possible to stress the urgency of this matter.”

-ENDS-