Tralee Town Council has strongly criticised the Government's record of job creation in the town, writes Anne Lucey.
Angry councillors told the monthly meeting that over the last five years, Tralee had seen no significant foreign investment, the erosion of hundreds of manufacturing jobs and unemployment figures remained at the level of a "black spot".
This was happening in a climate of job creation where "thousands of people were coming into the country" to seek employment, the meeting heard.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin and FF Kerry North TD Tom McEllistrim came in for strong criticism.
The January live register figures show that out of a 20,375 population, almost 3,000 are claiming unemployment benefits.
Several motions on the agenda dealt with the Tralee jobs crisis which last month saw one factory announce closure and a corporate travel service centre shed jobs.
Miriam McGillycuddy (Lab) called for skills analysis and a task force. "In a similar size town with similar size job losses, we would have the Minister down setting up a taskforce."
Cathal Foley (SF) said: "If Micheál Martin can go to India, he can surely come across the border [ from his native Cork] into Kerry."
Ted Fitzgerald (FF) said the Government record in job creation was so good "thousands of people are coming in from other countries for jobs". He called for a proper examination of what was happening in Tralee. The mayor, Terry O'Brien, said the IDA did not even have an office in Tralee.