12ú Deireadh Fómhair 2001

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Closure of Monaghan Poultry Products with loss of 300 jobs

Government must act now on Co. Monaghan jobs disaster - Ó Caoláin

Reacting to the announcement of the closure of Monaghan Poultry Products with the loss of 300 jobs Sinn Fein Cavan/Monaghan TD Caoimhgín Ó Caoláin called for immediate action to provide employment in a County which has been ``scandalously ignored'' by government.

Deputy Ó Caolain said:

``The MPP closure is a jobs disaster for County Monaghan and the border region. 300 jobs at the processing plant are gone and the livelihoods of poultry suppliers and ancillary services are deeply affected.

``This follows the closure in recent years of other food processing plants in this County. The food sector which is the basis of the local economy has been devastated and there has been no action from the government and IDA to replace lost employment. In fact successive governments, including this one, have scandalously ignored the people of Co. Monaghan for decades.

``I ask the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Harney where is the peace dividend and the Celtic Tiger for County Monaghan?

``I demand immediate action from Minister Harney. We must have a statement of intent to prioritise this County which was already an employment blackspot before the MPP closure. Token task forces are not enough. We must have priority access to inward investment and special supports for existing indigenous industries.''

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