Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy has described the layoffs from Bord Na Móna as “a devastating blow” to the midlands and has called on the Minister for Communications, Climate Action, and Environment Richard Bruton to publish the report from the Just Transition Commissioner Kieran Mulvey.
“The news of job losses at Bord Na Móna is a devastating blow for our community,” Senator Murphy said this week. “The company should allow the people who wish to retire to retire before the layoffs begin. They should live up to the promise of retraining and upskilling for employees who now face into an uncertain job market.
“The peat-fired power stations in Shannonbridge and Lanesborough are both out of commission at the moment and now workers are wondering if they will ever reopen.
“This stress and confusion could have been avoided,” he added. “An Bord Pleanála, aided and abetted by Government, are still stalling on the peat extraction application which would have seen both of these stations in operation.
“There is also the long-awaited report from Just Transition Commissioner Kieran Mulvey. This report should be published immediately, instead it sits on the Minister’s desk while hundreds lose their jobs. It is not good enough.”
