Government Rescue Verdict on Friday
The Herald and Western Advertiser, Saturday, December 10, 1983.
By Declan Dunne
The Government will reveal its decision on the fate of Tuam Sugar Factory on Friday. This is the latest in a series of so—called decision dates and it was given by Archbishop Joseph Cunnane at a special meeting in Tuam on Monday night.
Archbishop Cunnane said that Junior Agriculture Minister Paul Connaughton told him the decision will be taken after the Book of Estimates is considered by the Cabinet on Friday.
Since September there have been reports from politicians every few weeks that an announcement was imminent, but so far no official statement has been issued.
Come what may, a protest march will assemble at Tuam's Abbey Trinity car park on Monday at 1p.m., to arrive at the factory at 2 p.m. It is being organized by the beet growers, who call for the support of all groups. Already the beet hauliers and many lorries are expected.
Vincent Gaffney, Workers' Action Committee (W.A.C.) said at Monday night's meeting of groups aiming to keep the factory open that "This is our finest hour."
"It is the best campaign we ever had. The beet yields are exceptionally high, at times exceeding the average of 2,000 tonnes per day. Some times the figure went as high at 2,700," Mr. Gaffney said.
He added that the workers could have gone on strike when the decision to close the factory was made by the factory board.
"But they did not. They agreed to redundancies. Both the farmers and the workers responded excellently. Everything has been done quietly and efficiently.
"A decision at this stage is present at the meeting which included representatives of the W.A.C., Tuam Chamber of Commerce, Community Council, farming organisations and Archbishop Joseph Cunnane.
Arising from the meeting, Tuam Chamber of Commerce sent a telex to the Taoiseach, Dr. Garret FitzGerald, Minister for Agriculture Austin Deasy and Junior Minister for Agriculture Paul Connaughton demanding an immediate decision on the factory's future.
The telex states that the current campaign is the best in the 50 year history of the factory and that throughput is up by 50% in two years even though 100 workers have been made redundant and this has been achieved with reduced costs.
The document, signed by Pat Hardiman, Chamber President, also states that the body abhors the persistent anti—western bias shown by the Coalition Government.
Archbishop Cunnane congratulated all the organizations and individuals who have tried to keep the factory open. The Archbishop emphasized the need for an immediate decision on the factory as it is causing unnecessary frustration and worry for farmers, factory workers and the people of Tuam.
Cllr. Joe Burke said he had met the Chief Executive of the Sugar Co., Maurice Sheehy earlier this month and he assured Cllr. Burke that he did not come to close the factory.
He appealed to farmers to grow more beet and continue as normal because all indications are that the factory will remain open.
"I abhor the Taoiseach's refusal to meet representatives of Tuam to discuss the future of the factory last week," Mr. Burke said.
Cllr. Paddy Finnegan said he could not understand why the Government have not given an answer and added that before the farmers do anything they need to know what the future of the factory is.
"It would be a tragedy to close the factory. I hope we do not get a gift like the school transport costs last year, this Christmas," Cllr. Finnegan said.
Chairman of Tuam Town Commissioners, Jarlath Keane said that the delay in making a decision on the factory is outrageous and that a decision should be given within the next seven or fourteen days.
Jimmy O'Meara, W.A.C., said that the factory had saved £½ million this year. He added that the farmers are now well over half—way in the beet campaign and should be given an affirmative decision.
John Roache, Beet Hauliers Association, confirmed that he had the support of other haulier organisations to keep the factory open and farming representative Richie Byrne said he had the support of board directors on the Mallow, Thurles and Carlow sugar companies.
Martin Tyrrell said that the decision should come immediately because farmers have to plan six months and in some cases a year in advance.
Fr. D. Greally, Administrator, Tuam said that the decision to close the factory has been made by the board of the factory and it is up to the politicians to change it. He added that the board's decision will have to be reversed in the next two weeks if the factory is to survive.
Miko Bodkin, Chairman, Community Council said that the Council would give any help to the W.A.C. and Town Commissioner Gay Browne called on all the T.D.s in Co. Galway to resign if the factory is closed.