DEPUTY Niall Blaney has
hit out at Deputy Joe McHugh saying his recent
comments on Donegal's economy were "distasteful and
potentially damaging".
Deputy McHugh of Fine Gael claimed the loss of 14
jobs at the Oatfield sweet factory boded badly for
the county and he blamed the Government for not
doing enough to secure jobs in Donegal.
Deputy Blaney said he too was very disappointed to
hear that 14 workers are to be laid off at
Oatfield's and had already been in touch with the
company to offer his assistance to the workers. He
said he had also spoken to Enterprise Minister
Michéal Martin about the issue.
Deputy Blaney said: "As Deputy McHugh knows, these
job losses are a result of factors which are
entirely out of the Government's control. They are a
result of currency issues and market changes.
"The Government, or indeed Fianna Fáil, cannot
control global market forces or indeed the changing
demands of Irish consumers."
He said the fluctuating sterling and dollar and a
decrease in demand for the Oatfield products were
the reason for the cut backs.
"Management at Oatfield have assured me that their
commitment to Donegal is solid and that, depending
on currency changes and an increase in demand for
their products, they will readily reinstate the
positions.
"The fact that Deputy McHugh would use this
difficult time for them to have a go at the
Government is quite distasteful in my opinion," he
said. |
