I thank the Chair sincerely for giving me this opportunity. I have a very simple, straightforward proposal. On behalf of the people of Tuam and its hinterland, I request the Government to locate a Government Department or a section of a Government Department in Tuam town as part of the decentralisation plan.
As the House will know, Tuam and its hinterland have been devastated by the closure of the Sugar Company five years ago. At the time of closure more than 350 people were working full-time or part-time at the factory and, as we know, they all lost their jobs.
At one point in its history the factory employed 650 people. The recent Census of Population figures show part of north Galway — part of the greater Tuam area — still losing its population. In fact its population has been shown to be declining over recent censuses so that it is now like County Leitrim. There was an absolute commitment given to replace the Tuam sugar factory. Volumes have been written and spoken about it but, five years later, after several false industrial starts, all there is in Tuam is a big wild site where the factory once stood. The Sugar Company, Goodman International and the Government all raised hopes in one form or another that were unfulfilled. If there is no reasonably-sized industry in the IDA pipeline — and I understand there is not — the Government must earmark Tuam for decentralisation.
I would hope the Minister would not remind me that there has been some decentralisation to Tuam with the location there of units of the Ordnance Survey Office. it is good that they have seen fit to locate in Tuam but there are eight jobs only involved whereas I am speaking of a much higher number, somehow or other, to replace the permanent, full-time jobs in the sugar factory. There is a moral responsibility on the Government to provide jobs in the Tuam area. I contend that decentralisation constitutes the answer at this point.
