25 May 2000

ADAM INGRAM MEETS DELEGATION ON CLOSURE OF COURTAULDS, MARKETHILL

Minister of State, Adam Ingram, today met a group of local representatives from the Armagh area to discuss a range of issues arising from the recent closure of Courtaulds Lingerie factory in Markethill.

Speaking after the meeting the Minister said: "The loss of jobs in a small community such as Markethill can be devastating to individuals and their families as they contemplate an uncertain future without a regular income. The knock on effect on the local economy can be severe, with loss of business for local shops and services.

"However, since the announcement of the possible closure in April, the Training and Employment Agency have been working closely with employees and other employers from the area and I understand that quite a number have found alternative employment where they can use the skills and experience acquired at Courtaulds.

"The decision to close the factory was taken by the company purely on commercial grounds. The textile industry has been facing stiff competition from overseas manufacturers in countries where labour is cheap and as a result of pricing pressures from customers. Against that background there are considerable challenges for the industry, not only in Northern Ireland, but throughout the United Kingdom.

"Local companies need to concentrate on becoming more knowledge-based, focusing on adding value through better quality, innovation and design. Together with the Northern Ireland Textiles Association and the Northern Ireland Growth Challenge, we are addressing the problems, with the goal of retaining and strengthening the industry.

"While there have been many jobs lost in the textile and apparel industry, particularly over the past six months, Northern Ireland has a strong core of companies with strategic markets and product focus which continue to contribute strongly to the Northern Ireland economy."

The delegation said that while there were many positive signs of economic progress in the Armagh area, Markethill had become severely disadvantaged in recent years as a result of the impact of other factory closures, problems in the agriculture industry and a series of bomb attacks.

The group pressed for more sympathetic treatment of the area under the New TSN Action Plan, in line with the recommendations in Strategy 2010 and asked the Minister to do all he could to encourage potential inward investors to consider locating in the area.

The Minister was asked to request the Science Foundation to consider outreach into Armagh, given Queen's University's presence in Armagh. The deputation pressed the Minister to bring forward the outcome of the Skills Audit currently underway.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The textile and clothing sector in Northern Ireland employs around 20,000 and has an annual turnover in excess of £1 billion.

The delegation was led by Danny Kennedy, MLA and Paul Berry, MLA and included Armagh City and District Council representatives, Councillor Patrick Brannigan, Councillor Heather Black, Councillor Tom Cavanan, Councillor Sharon McClelland and Councillor Eric Speers and representing Armagh Economic Development Group, Desmond Mitchell, David McCammick and Mrs Anne Rutledge.