MP calls for taskforce to deal with job losses

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has called on Enterprise Minister, Ian Pearson to establish a taskforce aimed at examining the wider issues of investment in infrastructure in the area.

The call comes after last week's announcement that 270 workers are to be made redundant at the Herdmans linen textiles mill in Sion Mills, Co Tyrone.

Speaking following a meeting with the Minister at DETI headquarters on Wednesday, Mr Doherty said the job loses were a huge blow to the area.

"Ian Pearson must come forward with concrete proposals to address these problems," he said. "This requires commitment and it requires resources. Paper commitments are not good enough. People here in Strabane do not want to see a direct rule minister simply go through the motions they want to see concrete commitments to deal with these problems.

"A Taskforce should be established at the earliest opportunity that examines the wider issues of investment in infrastructure, on how we bring investment and jobs into the area and on who we tackle the twin problems of high unemployment and the need to develop the skills base of the local workforce."

Mr Doherty said he would be making the same request during a meeting with Invest NI at their Belfast city centre headquarters on Thursday.

Herdman's linen textiles mill in Sion Mills was built in 1835 and has operated mainly as a linen mill in recent years.

Despite last week's jobs blow, Herdman's plan to maintain a manufacturing facilty in South Africa.

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