AMANN DECISION MAJOR BLOW TO TRALEE - MCELLISTRIM

Posted on 24/04/09 by Tom McEllistrim Kerry North Fianna Fáil TD Thomas McEllistrim has described the decision of Amann to close their Tralee factory as a major blow to the town. Deputy McEllistrim is also calling on the IDA to redouble its efforts and make Tralee their number 1 priority in the wake of this announcement and other job losses suffered in the town.

"This really is terrible, terrible news for the workers of Amann and their families," said Deputy McEllistrim. "Of course my first thoughts go to them and I hope the company will put a generous redundancy package in place to see them through this difficult time. It is the least they deserve after all the loyal service and hard work they have done for Amann over the years."

"I have already spoken to the Tanaiste and her staff about Amann and I have repeated my call for more support for Tralee. This is another major blow to the town. Tralee has suffered too many disappointments when it comes to redundancies over recent months."

"I think the IDA needs to be instructed to make Tralee their number 1 priority. I will be making this case to the Department and I will be taking this up directly with the IDA. I don't believe enough is being done to promote Tralee as an investment location and I think the IDA needs to take a lot more responsibility for providing jobs to Tralee."

"I also think we all have a part to play in helping to secure investment. There has been too much negative talk about Tralee and North Kerry lately. We need to be more positive about all that Tralee has to offer if we are to attract foreign investment. The more we list the virtues of Tralee as a location the more it will appeal to companies who will no doubt have several different options to choose from when it comes to locating their facility in Ireland.

"We all need to be part of the PR effort to promote Tralee and to help bring more jobs to North Kerry," Deputy McEllistrim concluded.