Tuam: More Hope After Meeting With Tánaiste

The Connacht Tribune, Friday, July 1, 1983.

Introduction

Though the Government was still "playing the cards close to its chest" last night on the future of Tuam Sugar Factory, with no commitments given, members of the special deputation from the town which met the Tánaiste, Mr. Dick Spring, T.D., said this morning they were more hopeful.

Archbishop of Tuam, Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Cunnane, who led and introduced yesterday's deputation, told me this morning that he was reassured no decision had yet been taken and he was "certainly more hopeful as a result of the meeting."

In the discussions with Mr. Spring, and in the Dáil, the Government made it clear yesterday that a decision had not been taken yet on the future of the plant with its 230 full-time jobs and over 200 part-time.

Commented Dr. Cunnane: "I am more hopeful. I think Mr. Spring was very positive in his approach. I am certainly reassured that a decision has not yet been taken — Mr. Spring did not commit himself and promised to look into the whole question.

"We are more hopeful, but we are still very conscious that the possibility is still there that the factory could be closed. I pointed out that this would be an economic and social disaster. It is the industrial heart of this area."

However, workers' representatives had heard in the Dáil earlier Fianna Fail former Tánaiste, Mr. Ray McSharry sound a warning that the Ministerial words sounded like an announcement of the closure of Tuam. Mr. Austin Deasy and Junior Minister, Mr. Paul Connaughton had told the house that no decision had been made — Mr. Deasy said he had no preconceived notions about Tuam and assured the house that much study had to be done before any decision was made.

Commented Mr. Jimmy O'Mara, Chairman of the Workers' Action Committee: "We were more hopeful — there were no categorical assurances given, but Mr. Spring did admit that there was no hope of alternative employment.

The deputation from Tuam which went to make representations to Mr. Spring not to implement an Irish Sugar rationalisation plan (ordered by the Government) which proposes the closure of Tuam, was: Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Cunnane, Archbishop of Tuam; Town Commissioners,Jarlath Keane (Chairman), Midy O'Grady,Joe Burke, Kevin Dwyer; Assistant County Manager, Mr, John Howlett; Tuam Town Clerk, Mr.Willie Mannion; Seamus Davin, Acting President of Tuam Chamber of Commerce; County Development Officer, Mr.Charles Lynch; Mr.John Donnelly, Chairman of Galway, County Executive IFA; Mr. Mark Armstrong, BVA; Irish Sugar Workers' Director, Mr. John Connern; and Workers' Action Committee members, Mr. Jimmy O'Mara (Chairman) and Vincent Gaffney (Secretary).

The workers have now received a commitment that Minister Austin Deasy will meet them on July 11 in Tuam, and they are to meet the ICTU on July 13 in Dublin.

Dáil Debate

Fianna Fail spokesman on agriculture, Mr. Michael Noonan, opening the debate in the Dáil on Tuesday night, expressed his party's complete confidence in the Irish Sugar industry and it was disheartening to say the least for those involved to see this great organisation which has served the country so well under threat from conservative policies.

Fianna Fail could not let the abandonment of one factory go unchecked because it was the start of the winding down of the industry. In 1933 when Lemass, de Valera and Sean McEntee started the...