There is very widespread disappointment and disillusionment in County Leitrim that a totally new, fully equipped meat factory at Jamestown has not gone into production. The total IDA grant approved for the project was £1.125 million of which £271,000 was handed over up to the end of 1989. Total FEOGA aid allocated to the project was £2.289 million. We do not know what was handed over up to this time. About 100 jobs were promised in the first year of production, but so far there has not been any production. There has been an empty factory for years. This would be a major disappointment for any place in the country, but for an area as badly in need of jobs as County Leitrim it is a tragedy. Will the Minister let me know the intentions of the firm involved — first Pechanga, and now Erax — and does the Minister intend holding an inquiry into the project which has involved such major State and EC funding?
Adjournment Debate. - Agricultural Matter.
I am fully aware of the Minister, Deputy O'Kennedy's deep commitment to the development of the food industry generally and in particular to the factory end of the food industry. I know this matter will be of deep concern to the Minister. I will convey the Deputy's interest in this matter to him and I will ask for a direct reply to be forwarded to the Deputy.
The Dáil adjourned at 5.15 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 5 March 1991.