Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Apr 1992

Vol. 418 No. 7

Written Answers. - United Meat Packers Plants.

Joe Sherlock

Question:

60 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the role played by his Department in the negotiations leading up to the sale of the UMP plants; if, in view of the importance of these plants to the farming and food industries, he will give his Department's assessment of the prospects for the plants; if he will give details of the information available to him on employment levels in the re-opened plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Throughout the period of the receivership I and my Department were available at all times to provide advice and information to prospective purchasers of the former UMP plants. Also, at my request the IDA was similarly available.

The new owners of the plants — Avonmore and Dairygold are both companies which have a long and successful record in the food sector, with vast experience in the marketing of quality food products backed up by effective distribution networks. These resources will now be available to market the beef and lamb produced at the former UMP Group. I am confident therefore, that the prospects for these plants are now more secure than ever.

I have no reason to believe that employment levels at the re-opened plants will not, after an initial start-up period, be at or close to the pre-receivership levels.