Agencies Must Talk, Listen and Respond to this Further Blow to Buncrana - Keaveney

News of the difficulties faced by Keith Prowse, based at Lisfannon has been described by Senator Cecilia Keaveney as a tough blow for Buncrana and surrounding areas that fed into the workforce.

However, the Senator demands a response from the many agencies locally and nationally as to how the employment situation is to be addressed, and entrepreneurs are to be supported.

"Having been familiar with the company right from their beginning in Lisfannon, it was with great regret that I heard the news that Keith Prowse is to suspend trading.

I do not underestimate the impact that this news will have on the workforce that have been laid off and their families.

In the current climate it is very difficult for many businesses to compete when trading essentially with countries with stronger currencies and lower wage rates. However I have been speaking with representatives of IDA Ireland and Minister for Enterprise, Batt O Keeffe.

I have asked them to ensure that everything that can be done, will be done to see if this specific situation can be rescued. The current position is that the company are awaiting the appointment of Administrators.

Maintaining employment we still have in our area must remain a priority. Therefore we must have meaningful exchanges between companies of all sizes and the many employment agencies and the government to identify what measures being taken are working and what gaps still need to be addressed.

I was offered a briefing by IDA Ireland as to the challenges of bringing businesses into Donegal. I took up that offer as I believe we need to have plans to counter those identified challenges. I asked for this exchange to happen in the county not Dublin and that it would include other agencies and local business people.

Despite reiterating that request it has not as yet happened but is even more necessary now in the light of this most recent announcement.

Donegal has potential. It has people who can make things happen. We need the agencies to listen, speak with us and drive that potential and entrepreneur-ship that is latent. Government too must meet the identified shortcomings with a coherent and planned response.

I have asked Minister O Keeffe to consider having a 'mini Farmleigh' event for Donegal where we can have a constructive evaluation of our strengths, our weaknesses and a positive way forward" challenged Senator Cecilia Keaveney.