Closure of Diageo brewery another bitter blow to Waterford – Wyse

Fianna Fáil Cllr in Waterford Gary Wyse says the closure of the Diageo brewery in the city with the loss of 21 jobs is another bitter blow to Waterford.

Cllr Wyse commented: “My thoughts are with the workers in the Diageo brewery and their families after today’s announcement. This is another bitter blow for Waterford and adds to the string of recent job losses in the region.

“The South East has the highest unemployment rate in the country and again Waterford is feeling the brunt of the economic downturn. The county has been abandoned by the Government and with plans to downgrade Waterford Regional Hospital; the heart and soul of the county is being ripped out.

“The Diageo brewery is one of the most iconic buildings in Waterford and I’m baffled at this announcement considering €40 million was invested by the company here in 2006. While 21 jobs will be lost directly, there is a genuine fear that more jobs will be under threat as hauliers and suppliers have now lost a vital source of income.

“The Government has neglected Waterford and we have seen no discernible efforts to make the county a priority. We have heard such schemes as the Jobs Initiative, NewEra, and Jobs Action Plan from the government, but these are more about generating headlines than generating jobs.

“The issue of unemployment in Waterford now needs an urgent response from this Government if it is serious about the commitments it has given to attract employers here. A concerted effort must now be made by the IDA and the Government to prioritise Waterford for investment.”