Fine Gael TD Heather Humphreys stressed the importance of the retention of Quinn jobs to the entire border region while speaking in the Dail this week.

In what was her maiden speech to the house, Deputy Humphreys said that she would park the issues of her election by the people of Cavan-Monaghan and tributes to her predecessor, Seymour Crawford for another day. Instead she would use what time she had to focus on the importance of protecting both the jobs at Quinn Direct and the wider Quinn Group.

During her address to the house, Deputy Humphreys said “As somebody who worked in Ballyconnell for eight years, I fully understand and appreciate the huge contribution made by Sean Quinn not just to the Cavan area, but to the entire border region. At a time of recession and mass emigration in the late eighties, Mr Quinn made the border region not just a geographic entity but an economic reality and in doing so he afforded people the opportunity to work and live in their own community.

Deputy Humphreys continued by saying “Sean Quinn readily admits that he made mistakes and he is now facing the consequences of those mistakes, however it is only appropriate to outline the legacy of real and lasting employment that he did bring to our region and this is an achievement that should not be forgotten.

“When a cross party group met with Mr Quinn last Friday, it was clear to all present that despite his personal financial problems, his primary concern was for the continued employment of his staff and as a TD for Cavan/Monaghan that is my primary concern and priority also.

“I cannot over emphasise how critically important maintaining the jobs in Quinn Direct and the wider Quinn group is for the local economy. The fears of the Quinn workers must be understood and taken into account by the new manage met structure and it is imperative that the existing business model that has served the company well is maintained.

“With regards to the debt re-structuring plan agreed in principle between Anglo and the Quinn Groups lenders, it is my hope that this structure will enable the good businesses of the Quinn Group to continue to flourish. These businesses and their employees have faced a long period of ambiguity and the fact that a level of certainty has now been brought to this matter must also be welcomed. I urge the Minister to continue to monitor this situation closely so as to ensure the retention and security of the jobs going forward.”