Harney Launches Donegal Employment Initiative

The Tánaiste Mary Harney today (Wednesday 16th September, 1998) launched the Donegal Employment Initiative and addressed its first meeting at Buncrana's Inishowen Gateway Hotel.

The terms of reference and membership of the group, being chaired by county manager Michael McLoone, are appended in the Notes for Editors.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting the Tánaiste said "I am establishing this group to offset and compensate for the immediate risk of job loses at Fruit of the Loom plants in Donegal. It will also focus immediate, priority attention on Donegal as a prime, competitive and attractive location for job creating investment. Donegal has suffered as an industrial and business investment location over the years. In the face of adversity I believe that, with pragmatic co-operation all around, we can turn the tide in Donegal's favour."

The Tánaiste said that the consolidation of the peace process represented "a significant plus" for Donegal. "Marketing the county can now be made easier with the threat of violence in Northern Ireland removed. The county's natural hinterland in Northern Ireland can now become an asset in terms of access to ports and airports. Indeed I want the members of the Initiative to look especially at how barriers to access can be removed and how more carriers can be encouraged to fly into the region. The airports at Derry and Belfast and the port of Larne are particularly important for access to Donegal."

"The work of the task force is very important to accelerate the attraction of additional industry and business to Donegal. This is the first intensive effort to put Donegal on the industrial map. All of the stops must be pulled out to pursue this objective," the Tánaiste said.

The Tánaiste indicated that the terms of reference for the group were fairly broad and addressed the critical economic and employment development concerns outlined to her during an intensive round of meetings and plant visits in Donegal on 6th and 7th September 1998. Initially the response to the immediate threat of redundancies will need to focus on a skills assessment of workers in Fruit of the Loom as well as developing plans for retraining programmes. Immediate priority will also be given to promoting industrial development in the area.

The Tánaiste informed members of the group that they would have the full support of her Department and other Government Departments and agencies. The first meeting of the initiative was attended by two officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and a member of the board of IDA Ireland. The Tánaiste has asked her officials, Mr Ronald Long, Assistant Secretary for Industry, and Mr. Paul Cullen, Principal Officer in the Industries Division, to liaise with the task force in the course of its work. "My officials will ensure that wheels of officialdom are oiled and work smoothly," the Tánaiste emphasised.

Commenting on other initiatives following major closures, the Tánaiste said "The Task Force model has provide effective in other major closure situations, for example in Clonmel and Killala. I expect that the endeavours of the Donegal Employment Initiative will have similar positive results", said the Tánaiste. Asked about what her position was in relation to her recent meeting with Fruit of the Loom's CEO Bill Farley, Tánaiste Mary Harney responded, "I believe that it is unfortunate to say the least that Fruit of the Loom have not yet arrived at final decisions in regard to its tee shirt sewing operations in Donegal. This puts huge strain on the workforce who have been very supportive of and loyal to the company over the years."

"At this late stage," the Tánaiste said, "the company should inform the workers of its decisions and put an end to the uncertainty that hangs over so many workers and their families.

"Clearly my number one objective continues to be to retain as many jobs in Fruit of the Loom as possible. I made that abundantly clear to Mr. Farley last Sunday night and many times previously. I have also said that in the event of redundancies there should be negotiation and agreement with SIPTU on a fair and reasonable severance package for the workers.