I want to ask the Tánaiste about the commitments in regard to agriculture and rural communities. Following on from the announcement of the Kerry Group in regard to job losses in Charleville and Naas, particularly the outsourcing to third countries, has the Tánaiste, as the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, or his Department, been in contact with the Kerry Group in regard to those job losses? The concern locally is that this is only the thin edge of the wedge. Can the Tánaiste provide an assurance that his Department will liaise with the Kerry Group to ensure there are not large-scale job losses or outsourcing of employment within the Charleville factory?

I thank the Deputy. I have not been in direct contact recently with the Kerry Group, but my Department has and the information we have is that this is a consolidation exercise between Naas and Charleville and that redundancies will be voluntary rather than compulsory. I am alarmed to hear the Deputy's suggestion that, perhaps, job losses of a larger scale may be mooted. I will ask my officials to check with the company and I will come back to the Deputy with more information when I can.