John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for accepting this matter and allowing me to raise this issue which is of great importance to my constituency. Since the recess we had some devastating job losses in county Limerick, 1,900 Dell workers, 200 in Kostal, Abbeyfeale and 100 in Kostal, Mallow. The positives should be pointed out. Dell will keep 2,000 high-end jobs, which is very welcome. We are not losing Dell but some of the manufacturing jobs there. That is regrettable and a terrible blow to those who held those jobs. Kostal has been an exemplary employer and has kept its staff informed for the last number of weeks. In previous situations when it has asked for voluntary redundancies it has looked after its staff very well and I hope that follows through this situation. I hope Dell can do likewise and look after and compensate its workers who have been loyal to it for many years.

The Tánaiste, Deputy Coughlan, visited Limerick at her earliest opportunity. She was asked to give some space to the workers and their employers, and that happened. It was announced on Thursday morning and she was in Limerick on the following Tuesday or Wednesday. She met the workers, the public representatives in the area, the mayors of the city and county and gave them a very full briefing. I have the fullest confidence in the Tánaiste putting a task force in place.

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