Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

It is not the same reply. I have not read from my script. I am speaking not only as Minister of State with responsibility for labour affairs, but also as a Deputy in whose constituency companies have carried out worldwide reviews. I understand the concerns of the local Deputies, the Dell employees and others employed in companies supplying to or being supplied from Dell. I wish to place on the record that the Government is very conscious of the importance of Dell in Limerick and nationally. We will do everything possible. IDA Ireland is in consistent contact with the company. The Tánaiste has already met the management as has been requested from the other side of the House. It is an indication of the importance we place on this particular company. When any companies are carrying out worldwide reviews, IDA Ireland always gets involved to mitigate the impact on Ireland.

Deputy referred to other competing factors. Dell has plants throughout the world and a global review is being carried out. We should allow the company to carry out its review. We will work with the company to highlight, as the Deputies have done tonight, the importance of Dell to its 3,000 full-time employees and the seasonal temporary contract workers in Limerick. We need to allow the space and time necessary while at the same time assuring the elected representatives from Limerick that the Government and IDA Ireland are doing everything possible to mitigate any decisions that might have a negative impact on Dell in Limerick.

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