I wish to share time with Deputies Farrelly, Kirk and Owen.
The closure of Hawkesbay Leisure Limited has brought devastation, fear and anger to Ardee, a very pleasant town which has been overshadowed by Dundalk and Drogheda over the years. The loss of the major employer in Ardee has been a tremendous blow to the morale of the town. There is anger that over the past 20 or 30 years not enough effort has been made to attract industry by successive Governments. With the exception of Farrell's joinery works, the town was totally dependent on Hawkesbay Leisure.
In many cases the employees of Hawkesbay Leisure are the breadwinners in their families. There is fear in the town among business people that this is yet another step backwards given the contribution the workers made to the economy of Ardee. There is anger at suggestions that perhaps all or part of this industry might move to fill the void created by Fruit of the Loom in Donegal, where the job losses are another tragedy. There is also a fear that because of the demand for workers by Xerox in Dundalk, a very welcome addition to the town, the IDA might take its foot off the accelerator in looking for a replacement industry for Ardee. Nothing less than a replacement industry will suffice for the people of Ardee and the surrounding areas. The people will exact a full penalty if sufficient efforts are not made in this regard.
Over the years not enough effort was made by political parties, including Fine Gael, and I ask the Minister of State to give an assurance that the business will not be transferred in any shape or form to fill the void in Donegal. We need the industry in Ardee and we will accept nothing less than an assurance from the Minister of State in this regard. I also want him to give an assurance that the IDA will leave no stone unturned in its efforts to get a replacement industry for this fine plant which is ready for occupation.
There are suggestions that perhaps a pharmaceutical company will come to Ardee. If this is so, I would welcome it and be grateful for it, as will everybody else in County Louth. Nevertheless, that is for the future, and while it might be reassuring for the people of Ardee, the only assurance I am seeking from the Minister of State is a guarantee that this plant will not manifest itself in Donegal in any form in the future and that the IDA will place the same emphasis on seeking a replacement industry as it has on finding a replacement for Fruit of the Loom in Donegal.