Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

Contracts and orders were placed by Volkswagen, Volvo and Bentley. Unfortunately, the company has been sustaining losses for a number of years. It tried to put together a business plan. The IDA has been in discussion with the company for some time to see whether it could assist in industrial relations, a business plan and support aids.

I saw the news and I acknowledge it has a harrowing and devastating impact on a community, primarily on people with investments in houses, mortgages and rearing families in the hope the company would be an employer for years to come. Unfortunately, the company has appointed a liquidator. We are where we are and we are trying to ensure the IDA, at this late stage, can in some way assist in saving as many jobs as possible. It will meet with the family which owns the company and is in discussion with management and the unions. We will see whether we can rescue the company.

During recent years, this business has become more competitive internationally and the company has been sustaining losses. FÁS is doing a skills audit to see whether jobs are available elsewhere for people who have worked in Iralco for a number of years. It is important to deal with the company in the situation in which we find it.

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