APC CONFIRM CASTLEBAR JOBS START-UP FOR JUNE NEXT



Connaught Telegraph 13 November 1996


By
TOM GILLESPIE

TWO-HUNDRED-and-forty-five jobs are to come on stream at the American Power Conversion plant in Castlebar by June of next year. The company's vice president of operations and treasurer, Edward W. Machala has confirmed in a Fax to the IDA.

Enda Photo This was the good news the Minister for Tourism and Trade Enda Kenny had for the 520 people who attended his 21st anniversary of being elected to Dail Eireann at a celebration banquet at the Travellers Friend Hotel and Theatre, Castlebar, where Taoiseach John Bruton was the guest of honour.

Minister Kenny said the company would purchase the Castlebar facility on December 1 and recruitment would get underway immediately.

The evening was chaired by Mr. John McHugh, chairperson, Castlebar District Executive, Fine Gael who welcomed the Taoiseach of the other guests to the celebration function.

The Chairperson of the Mayo Constituency Executive Fine Gael, Mr. Martin Cahalane said the function was to give public recognition to Enda Kenny for his achievements at Government. He said they were indebted to the Kenny family for their contribution to the public life of this country for most of the 20th century. He had no doubt but that they would gather again to honour Enda Kenny "as leader of the Fine Gael Party and as Taoiseach of our country".

Former Fine Gael Finance Minister Mr. Richie Ryan said he had the honour of having as his Parliamentary Secretary the late Mr. Henry Kenny and father of Enda Kenny. He said he had the privilege of serving with Enda for many years, as backbench T.D's and when they both became of ministerial status.

He recalled the historic by-election back in November 1975 when Enda Kenny was elected to the Dail and how he had travelled to Mayo West to canvass for the party.

He added: "Two generations of Kenny's have now served Mayo and Ireland." Senator Paddy Burke said there have been many, many changes in mayo since Enda Kenny was elected to the Dail in 1975, not alone on the political scene but also in the infrastructure.

"Enda Kenny has given a significant to politics in Mayo." He served on Mayo County Council from 1975 until two years ago when he was elevated to Minister for Tourism and Trade. He was a member of the mayo VEC for a long number of years as well as being chairman of the authority and he was a member of the Western Health Board.

Senator Burke added: "But on all the committees he served he fought vigorously for what he felt was right for the good of this county, for the broader aspects of the county and he never had a narrow mind on any subject.

"He fought vigorously for the infrastructure that we now have. He also fought for the provision of the RTC when he was Junior Minister for Education, at Mayo County Council level and also as chairman of the VEC.

"When he was a member of the Western Health Board he fought for the upgrading of facilities at the now Mayo General Hospital and I am delighted he made significant contributions in relation to the General Hospital which is now on stream and cannot move any faster." When Mr. Kenny was co-opted to Mayo County Council after his father's death there are only five members of that council still in the chamber and only one Fine Gael councillor in Sean McEvoy.

He thanked Enda Kenny for his tremendous contribution to local politics and to democracy within Co. Mayo

CLOSEST FRIENDS

Taoiseach John Bruton said he too had come to canvass for Enda Kenny and very few could have imagined the very distinguished career that lay in front of Enda Kenny and still lies in front of him.

He continued: "It is not for primarily political reasons that I am here. I have said this publicly and I will say it again. I would count Enda Kenny as one my closest personal friends, quire apart from political and professional association.

"I count his as such as I know that in hard times, as well as in the easy times, when we're sad as well as cheerful, Enda is a good friend, and has been an exceptionally good personal friend to me. I am very glad to have the opportunity of saying that publicly.

"I also believe he is the best possible Minister we could have for Tourism. This is now an industry that is about to become more important to the Irish economy that agriculture. Fifteen per cent growth in tourist numbers every year since Enda became Minister. We get more tourists to come to this country if we have somebody who can go abroad and truly represent what is best about Ireland, can represent to the people of Australia, the United States, the people of Continental Europe the friendliness of the Irish people, the integrity and the welcome of the Irish people."

The Taoiseach added: "There is no one better suited to act as ambassador for the Irish people in regard to bringing them to this country as your Deputy, the Minister Enda Kenny.

"He is also responsible for that most tricky of all political briefs, trade. You might think that being Minister for Trade if just about promoting exports and talking to people and do forth. It's not.

"He is currently President of the EU Ministers for Trade and there will a wold gathering of Ministers for Trade from every country in the world in December and as President of the European Ministers for Trade, Enda Kenny will be vice chairman of the World Trade Organisation meeting in Singapore which will make crucial decisions for the future of trade in the world well into the 21 century.

"And that is something for a man from Islandeady" The Taoiseach laid tribute to Fionnuala Kenny for the great support she had shown to Enda and to all Enda's friends. This was a celebration as much for Fionnuala as much as it was for Enda.

He expressed his appreciation to Enda's Mother Eithne and to all the Kenny family who were very proud on this occasion.

The chairperson of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, Mr. Phil Hogan said it was a privilege to have someone, like Enda Kenny with such good humour, good character and above all everybody's friend around the Cabinet table.

He said: "When you over the years talk about the qualities of politicians, like honesty and integrity, being good with people, being good with your constituents and being able to get on with them, being a good communicator, being loyal to your party, constituents and your country, but to be able to do so with a great sense of humour, that is Enda Kenny.

"And with a person of those qualities we don't need Fianna Fail people to lecture Fine Gael people on what we should or should not do. We know the differences between right and wrong, unlike Fianna Fail.

"What makes this Government, led by John Bruton, different from previous administrations, is that we have people like Enda Kenny and like Nora Owen who are prepared to serve this country well and do it well with honesty and integrity and do it to the best of their ability.

He said nothing would give Enda more pride for the country and for himself than to bring the Tour de France and the Ryder Cup to Ireland.

APC JOBS

Minister Kenny welcomed the Taoiseach and his wife to their friend in Co. Mayo. He was privileged indeed that the Taoiseach was in Castlebar as President of the Council of Europe, as Taoiseach, but proud and honoured that he was here as John Bruton.

Minister Kenny said: "This is a celebration not just for me, not just for the Kenny family but for you for your loyalty, your confidence, trust and integrity and your continued support for the party that we believe in and the principles that we stand by.

He thanked his mother Eithne who had given 42-years of her life to politics Referring to the next General Election

We will do our best to give you a 3-2 result here next year. We can never predict these things but we are going to try.

He said over the years they had lost many friends and indeed made many friends. "I remember all of those this evening because you pass school houses, you pass houses that you held meetings in where people did presiding officers, polling clerks and we remember them all. They were all part of a family that has made us what we are today. The past has been great. It has been up and down, a long apprenticeship and I am privileged, and it is a privilege not a right to serve in Government having been asked to do so by the Taoiseach and I hope we do the best we can for you.

"My parting word is this: I have a message for you. Those of you who would have heard some interviews in the last weeks will have a concern about a number issues in this county. "One of them is in relation to the APC issue here in Castlebar.

"Let me read you a message I have from the Vice- President of operations and Treasurer Mr. Edward W. Machala which came into the IDA.

"Thank you for your fax dated November 1. Which I have discussed with Messrs Connolly and Goodwin.

"I am pleased to confirm that APC will proceed with the Castlebar project according to the following timetable. APC will purchase the Castlebar facility on December 1, 1996 at the revised purchase price and immediately commence modifications and outfitting of the facility.

"I have instructed Mr. Joe White of APC Galway, Ireland, to immediately commence recruitment for Castlebar.

" APC plans to be in full production by June 1997.

"APC plans to hire approximately 245 employees in the Castlebar facility.

"I confirm that you may brief your Prime Minister as stated above that these revised plans may be publicly announced as is deemed appropriate."

Music for the occasion was provided by the Brose Walsh Band with guest artists Frankie Forde-Waldron and Frank Forde.



Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - November 1996