I thank you, Sir, for allowing me to raise an important matter and I thank the Minister of State for being present in this House.
The completion of the internal market by 1 January 1993 will have serious implications for the economy of County Donegal. Of the 91 Customs and Excise staff currently employed throughout the county, 65 will be surplus to requirement — in other words simply out of a job. The loss of these workers and their families to County Donegal is estimated to be of the order of £1 million annually. The cost in social terms is incalculable. A county already suffering the highest unemployment rate per capita can ill afford to sacrifice a further 65 jobs. The vast majority of those affected have family responsibilities; homes to maintain, mortgages to pay and children to educate. Their dependants number about 200 and their contribution to the economy of the county is crucial at a time when it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract industry and create employment in one of our most peripheral counties. There is massive uncertainty as to what the future holds for these families. They are being kept in the dark in a most unfair way not knowing what type of employment, if any, will be available from 1 January next.
The Minister should recognise that after Dundalk, County Donegal will be the next major blackspot as a result of the internal market arrangement. I suggest to the Minister of State that the next major block of work identified should be transferred to County Donegal. The problem could be solved by the placing of the administration block for motor vehicle excise duty in the county from January 1993. I urge the Minister to seriously consider this option.
This is a serious problem for the families involved and the county in general. I urge the Minister to address it immediately and relieve the tensions and anxiety of all those involved. They should be spared from further uncertainty and told what the future holds for them.