Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

Out of the blue, the decision was taken to shift the operation. The decision was taken by people with no loyalty to this country, no consideration of the downstream effect of the decision on the region and no consideration by the Minister. It will affect the entire north Dublin region. It appears there was one brief meeting before the announcement was made. What happened at that meeting and did the Tánaiste, Deputy Coughlan, make any serious attempt to hold on to the jobs? I do not believe she did.

The management told us at the time that the reason they were pulling out was because costs were 20% over what they regarded as acceptable. What was done about that and what opportunity was given to deal with those overruns in costs? Those jobs could have been saved if the Minister had made a serious effort. I call on the Minister at this late stage to get the finger out, speak to the management in SR Technics and do everything she possibly can to protect and maintain those jobs for the north side of Dublin. We cannot afford to lose them.

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