I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, and the Minister of State for taking this matter on the Adjournment. During recent public and political meetings in the north Mayo-Bangor Erris region, concern was expressed by the people of the area about the proposed closure in 2005 of the peat burning and electricity generating station at Bellacorick, Bangor Erris, County Mayo. Since 1950, Bord na Móna and the ESB station have provided the main employment in the region. Bord na Móna currently employs 98 full-time and 120 part-time employees. The ESB employs 70 permanent staff. The employees come from the hinterlands of Newport, Crossmolina, Ballycroy, Bangor Erris and the Belmullet peninsula.
A recent television documentary by RTE concerning the Cosgrove family from Doohoma outlined the changes that have taken place in this north Mayo region and the important role that Bord na Móna and the ESB power station have played in the change in the economic life and prosperity of the region. Those two organisations have helped to stabilise the economy of the region and keep a number of people living in the area and raising their families there. Now is the time to examine the possibility of putting in place alternative employment that will continue to support the communities of the area and provide a future for the youth of the region.
The recent decision by Enterprise Oil to bring the gas pipeline for natural gas into the north Mayo area provides an opportunity to examine the feasibility of building a new power station for the western region to supply the national grid. It will also provide low cost energy for the provision of jobs. Will the Minister consider establishing a task force to examine and plan the future development of this region, taking into consideration all the economic factors, along the lines of that established in relation to the provision of jobs when the Asahi plant closed? A combination of the development agencies should examine the socio-economic needs of this region. If the Bord na Móna operation is to close, or if its life is not extended, an alternative enterprise and planned development should be established for the continuous development of the region and the future of the people who live there.