Minister adamant decision not made
Wednesday January 27 2010
NO definitive decision over the future of Teagasc's Kinsealy base has been made to date, according to the Minister for Food and Horticulture, Trevor Sargent. The Green Party TD said he was refusing to give up on the centre, saying the plan to close the facility was merely a proposal.
'My understanding is no decision has been taken to close Kinsealy,' Minister Sargent told the Fingal Independent. 'Meetings are planned in February and I'm not giving up on it.
'Teagasc have presented a 'plan a' - I'm looking for a 'plan b'. It is all up in the air at the moment.' Labour TD, Tommy Broughan, earlier accused Minister Sargent of betraying farming and horticulture voters in Fingal, while pointing to the strength of the industries in the area.
'It is therefore baffling why the decision has been made to shut down the Teagasc facility in Kinsealy given its critical location,' Deputy Broughan said. 'It is particularly astonishing that Junior Minister Sargent sanctioned the closure of this vital agriculture research centre in the heart of Fingal.
'I have contacted agriculture Ministers Brendan Smith and Trevor Sargent and asked them to immediately clarify why Teagasc in Kinsealy is being closed down and what future is being planned for the staff.'
In response, Minister Sargent insisted he had no say in whether the centre closed and said Deputy Broughan was 'betraying his own ignorance'.
'Not only have I not sanctioned the closure and no decision has been made about it by Teagasc, but I am actively involved in discussions to ensure its development,' Minister Sargent continued.
'It's not my decision as the facility is owned by Teagasc and they are charged with the responsibility of using it in the most effective way, to help farmers and the food industry.
'Questions about Kinsealy have been disallowed in the Department because it's a matter for Teagasc. I'm tied from making a decision as it's outside my decision-making ability.
'I have managed to get several millions for horticulture in grants - matters outside my control I can hardly be blamed for.' Deputy Broughan said the centre was critical in developing the most up-to-date technological information and facilities for the long-term competitiveness of Irish horticulture.
'Clearly some staff are very concerned that they may be forced to move to the opposite end of the country even though their families are long settled in Fingal and the northside of Dublin,' he added.
- Robin KIELY
