Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I sincerely thank Deputy Noonan for sharing his time and allowing me to put on record my position on this issue which I have raised previously.

As the Minister of State is aware, there is serious concern about Dell. It employs more than 3,000 permanent full-time workers, as well as temporary workers who are taken on and let go in the plant. The number of temporary workers laid off last week is far in excess of the norm in terms of the seasonal layoffs in Dell. As Deputy Noonan said, both Flextronics and Banta, which supply Dell, have announced that they are also letting people go. Many other companies in the region are dependent on Dell, either feeding into or out of the factory, as well as the wider economy in terms of the spending power of people employed in the company.

We know that Dell is undertaking a worldwide re-evaluation of its work. It is vital that the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, should signify on an ongoing basis to Dell and to its management the Government's full support for keeping it in Ireland, particularly in Limerick and in the midwest. People throughout the world will be fighting the battle to keep Dell jobs in various places in the United States and elsewhere. We must show that the Government is fully committed to addressing the issues under consideration. As we understand it, decisions have not yet been made. Therefore, there is time. It is vital that the Government should put its full weight and force behind protecting those jobs.

There is a great level of insecurity in the region because of the recent announcements, the situation at Shannon Airport, as outlined by Deputy O'Donnell, and a general perception that what was a very successful region is now under threat in a wide variety of ways. However, the linchpin in all of this is the Dell company, which has been such an excellent employer in the region. The region has also given to Dell. It is a highly efficient and highly cost effective plant. Through the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the company must get the message that it is vital it remains in the region. I urge the Minister of State to impress upon the Tánaiste how vital it is for her to keep up ongoing contact with the company. I agree she should take the opportunity when she is in the United States to approach the company directly again. American companies are very impressed by governments and their commitments. They are used to dealing with politicians on employment issues. It is vital for the Government to underpin the company and save the rest of the jobs in Dell and in the other companies that are so dependent on Dell. It will have major repercussions if that company is allowed to go.

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