No forced redundancies at station, says ESB
Sources said there is little or no chance of a reversal of the closure decision.
Community leaders in the village reacted with shock and anger at the development, which took many people by surprise.
Kerry IFA chairman John Stack said it was a black day for the area and the mood was glum.
“We must now work together try to save the power station and see if some renewable energy facility can be set up there. The building and equipment must be used to create jobs here.
“Wood chipping and other enterprises should be looked at. The closure comes as very bad news for the area in relation to employment, as people are also leaving the land.’”
Mr Stack said the closure would have a ripple effect, as many small companies and service providers were dependant on the oil-fired station, which had been in operation since 1969.
ESB spokesman Kevin McDermott said the closure decision was taken as part of an asset strategy review of ESB stations countrywide.
“A decision on what to do with the site will be taken after the station has closed. There will be redeployment opportunities for staff members who do not wish to take redundancy.”
Yesterday, Kerry North TDs Jimmy Deenihan and Martin Ferris said the closure should not have come as a surprise, as the area was neglected by the Government for many years in regard to job creation.
Kerry North TD Thomas McEllistrim said he was in contact with Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin with a view to finding alternative jobs for the workers.
Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue said he was confident a private sector energy project would be set up in the Tarbert station.
He said Mr Martin was due to visit Tarbert on Monday to make an announcement for a development on part of a Shannon Development-owned landbank in the area.
Mr O’Donoghue said this would create a large number of jobs, including 300 during construction.
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