Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

May I say how relieved we all are in Kildare with the news yesterday evening that the one objector to the proposed Diageo plant, which would be an investment of €200 million and would provide 1,000 jobs during the construction, has withdrawn his objection to the High Court? This means the Diageo brewery, which will be the biggest in Europe, if not the world, will go ahead. Two weeks ago we had a robust meeting with a respectful exchange of views at a meeting in Athy with the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, David Owens, Councillor Veralouise Behan and local farmers. The objector came to the meeting. It was made very clear that he was on his own. Diageo has said if it has the possibility of doing work in Athy it will do so. This is also important. I am organising a meeting for IDA Ireland to come to Athy. This is good for Ireland and gives international companies a sense of confidence in the planning process.

On Sunday I was at a very dignified memorial service organised by St. Conleth's branch of the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, ONE.. It is always important to remember those who have passed before. I wish them well on their new acquisition, which is a house in Newbridge to cater for those coming from the Defence Forces who need shelter and as a meeting place. St. Conleth's must be one of the biggest ONE branches in the country. We hope it is a speedy process and anything that I can do to help them, I will do.

I also want to raise the issue of St. John's Convent in Rathangan. For more than 100 years the Sisters of Mercy have provided education and provided a lot for the people of Rathangan. Thankfully, four of the nuns are still alive but as they have aged they have moved from the convent. The Sisters of Mercy order decided it wanted the building to be used for those who need shelter. The decision was made with Kildare County Council that it would be for people aged over 55 and for people with disabilities. There are very unfortunate rumours and people are peddling stories that it is for drug addicts and people with mental health issues. People are going up to the school which is beside the convent and giving out utter rubbish in terms of information. I want to call this out in the most public place I can, which is here. It is simply not good enough. It is very unfair to prey on vulnerable families and children by spreading this disinformation.