Statement from Tánaiste, Mary Harney in Response to Dubarry Announcement

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment Mary Harney has described the news of job losses at Dubarry as a further serious setback for the entire local community in Ballinasloe.

The Tánaiste said: "Obviously my first thoughts are for the workforce and their families because this is devastating news for anyone who will lose their job as a result of this announcement. The priority has to be to get everyone back into employment as quickly as possible.

"With that priority in mind, we remain determined to do everything possible to secure new investment for the town of Ballinasloe. In the past 18 months, the IDA have brought upwards of a dozen companies to visit the town and I know that discussions are continuing with a number of potential investors. The new IDA Ireland advance factory of 29,000 sq ft will be available for occupation early next year and, along with the Agency's existing land bank of some 25 acres in the town, will prove a very valuable marketing tool. In addition, there has been significant investment in local infrastructure and improvements in transport links, electricity supply and broadband availability are all scheduled to come on stream in the near future.

"Attracting new investment to Ballinasloe is not proving easy. However, these initiatives will help our efforts to market the town as an attractive investment location."

"I can't and won't make false promises to the people of Ballinasloe. But I can promise them that their town continues to be marketed by our development agencies for new investment as actively and as rigorously as any town in Ireland."

ENDS

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