Willie Penrose TD

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Midlands can ill-afford C&D closure

Issued : Monday 16 January, 2006

Labour Party Deputy for Westmeath, Willie Penrose, has said that any closure of the C&D pet food factory in Edgesworthtown, Co. Longford, whether on a short or long-term basis, will have serious consequences for the local economy and population given the large numbers employed at the plant.

Deputy Penrose commented, “Last night’s fire at C&D, which has seen significant sections of the factory destroyed in the blaze, could see the plant close for some time. Indeed, it is extremely fortunate that none of the 33 employees who were on the premises at the time were injured when the fire broke out.

“However, the knock-on effect of this for the local area will be extremely serious. Over 500 people are employed by C&D, including entire families. This will seriously impact on households across Longford and Westmeath.

“Clearly the first priority must be to identify the cause of the fire, and then to seek to repair all the damage to allow the factory to function again and all employees to return to work.

“My immediate sympathies are with all those families who face the uncertainty of not knowing when they will be able to return to work, and with the factory’s owners who face the huge task of rebuilding the damaged premises.

“C&D is a major employer in the Midlands. The entire region can ill-afford jobs being put at risk on such a large scale. I hope that the situation will be remedied at the earliest possible opportunity.”