I thank the Minister of State for coming in to reply. I would like to have been in Athlone on Friday last on the occasion of the Minister's visit but as the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation, of which I am a member, meets each Friday I was unable to be there.
The subject I want to speak about is urban designation of a particular site, the subject of the Minister of State's visit to Athlone. A proposal has been submitted to the Government regarding designation of the site of the Silverlea plant in Athlone. Silverlea jeans manufacturer, has run into difficulties and has had to reduce the number of its employees which stood at 170. Against all the odds it has remained open because week by week various efforts have been made through banks and other concerns to keep it in production. It is still in production with one week to go.
The Government, Opposition parties and State agencies have tried to agree a formula which will keep this company in operation. The developer has put forward proposals for the Silverlea plant which is situated on the banks of the River Shannon and meets the criteria of the original urban renewal scheme. I was a member of the Cabinet in 1987-88 when the original scheme was announced and I secured the inclusion of Athlone in it. The original scheme did not prove very successful and we will have to wait to see how this one works. That being said, the scheme was very worthwhile.
I am not talking on behalf of the developer; rather I am representing the employees of Silverlea and the people of Athlone. If the plant secures designation under the scheme and the developer leaves the site intact the employees will be able to buy out the company either on their own or in tandem with another manufacturer or firm. I ask the Minister to give early and favourable consideration to the inclusion of the Silverlea plant in Athlone in the urban renewal scheme to secure the jobs of this highly motivated workforce.