I wish to share my time with Deputy Wallace. Exactly three weeks ago on February 21, I first raised the issue of the impending crisis at Sunbeam Industries in an effort to alert the Minister and Government to the serious developments there. On almost every sitting day in the meantime, I have attempted to raise the issue either on the Order of Business or by way of Private Notice Question in an attempt to shake the Government out of its complacency and get it to intervene in time to save the jobs in Sunbeam. Today, three weeks later, the grim position has worsened. Unless a successful buyout package can be negotiated immediately the plant will close on Friday, March 10 and 108 workers stand to lose their jobs. This must not be allowed to happen. It would be a mortal blow to the workers, their families and the local economy in north Cork city. This area has suffered severely over the last 12 years as a result of the collapse of a range of traditional industries. One more closure could not be sustained in this area of chronically high unemployment. The position at Sunbeam must be confronted with all the resources we can command.
I wish to bring two factors to the Minister's notice. First, the production capability of the plant is very strong. There is a highly motivated workforce, many of whom are so dedicated that they have not taken annual holidays for three years. Such a workforce cannot lightly be thrown on the scrap heap. Second, market opportunities for the product are very good. There is a strong, solid customer base and there are orders to the value of £2.5 million on the order books as we speak. This is not an ailing industry but one worth intervening in and throwing a lifeline to at this juncture.
Speed is of the essence. Orders for summer stock are now coming in and if Sunbeam cannot meet them immediately the business will go elsewhere and the long term viability of the plant will be in serious jeopardy. I appeal to the Minister to leave no stone unturned, to use all the resources as his command to ensure a successful buyout takes place without delay and that the jobs in Sunbeam get the same level of attention as was given to the jobs in Packard and Irish Steel. An equivalent amount must be invested in this plant to save those jobs.