1ú Samhain 2001

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Dundalk Factory Closure  - `Another devastating blow'

Louth Sinn Fein County Councillor Arthur Morgan has said that this afternoon's announcement that the car components factory AFL is to close is another devastating blow for the town of Dundalk. 320 people will lose their jobs as a result of the closure.  Cllr. Morgan said:

``In recent years Dundalk has been hit by set back after set back. This year alone we have seen the closure of the Macardle Moore Brewery, cutbacks at Xerox have resulted in the redundancy of over 350 workers while other large employers have also significantly reduced staff levels.

``This afternoon's announcement, coming so quickly after the news that operations at Tara Mines are to shut, is a double blow for this entire region. The government must act immediately.

``The people of Dundalk don't want to hear any more platitudes.  They don't want to hear announcements of more task forces being set up. Task force after task force have been established but we have seen no results. Further talking shops are not the answer. People know what the problems are and what is now needed is action.

``What Dundalk and this region needs are jobs and we need them desperately.  There are plenty of local small businesses that, with assistance, could develop and employ more staff.  This must happen now.''

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