Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this very important issue again in the House. Three weeks ago, on Friday, 3 April, 600 workers from approximately 1,200 were absolutely devastated upon losing their jobs at the world class SR Technics operation at Dublin Airport. What made it even more unbearable was the fact they left what they knew well was a very viable aviation engineering operation.

Last Friday, on 17 April, more than 100 disheartened and shattered workers were also let go. I was also shocked last week to learn that 26 senior SR Technics aviation engineering apprentices were being let go as well by the Zurich-based company. When I heard the news I described it as another savage breach of faith by the corporate affairs director of SR Technics, Stephanie Kennett, the chief executive officer, Bernd Kessler, and their Middle East master, Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum.

More than six weeks ago, in a lengthy telephone conversation with Mr. Kessler, I asked him specifically to bring the apprentices to Zurich to finish their training and he said it would be under consideration. After meetings facilitated by the Labour spokesperson, Willie Penrose, myself and my colleagues, Deputies Roisín Shortall, Joe Costello and Joan Burton and Senators Dominic Hannigan and Brendan Ryan, it was believed that arrangements had been put in place to ensure that these young men and women made redundant last Friday would have been allowed to complete their college and practical training with FÁS, DIT Bolton Street and the remaining SR Technics operation at Dublin Airport. The 26 young apprentices are in their third year, or phase five, of the new apprentice FETAC system. They had hoped to be allowed to continue their academic education and work on the SR Technics line maintenance facility up to 31 August.

Last week I called on the director of FÁS, the CEOs of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to immediately provide facilities for all the SR Technics apprentices who have not been catered for to date. I reiterate that call now. I also asked the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to urgently report to the Dáil on efforts to save the aviation engineering facility at Dublin Airport. I hope the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, will provide a full report on the invigilation process relating to the various expressions of interest and management buy-out proposals for the Dublin SR Technics operation. Is the Minister of State in a position to indicate the number of proposals and expressions of interest that are currently deemed viable or worthy of progressing? Will he outline what is likely to be the timeframe for progressing these proposals? Will he indicate the current position regarding the leases for the SRT hangars at Dublin Airport? Is IDA Ireland confident that all the essential aviation engineering equipment has been protected for any viable successor business at the SRT facility?

Time is passing and I regret to say that the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and her colleagues do not appear to be displaying the urgency necessary to protect jobs in this vital industry. The Labour Party has stated since the beginning of the crisis that everything possible must be done to ensure that the almost 1,200 jobs in aviation engineering at Dublin Airport will be saved.

I have, on the Labour Party's behalf, been in contact with the various players in this saga in Europe and the Middle East, including SRT corporate management in Zurich, the head of the Mubadala Development Company in Abu Dhabi and the ultimate beneficial owner of SR Technics, Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and King of Dubai. I understand the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment visited Abu Dhabi recently. Will the Minister of State indicate if she received any assistance from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan or Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chief executive of Mubadala? I also understand that the chief executive of IDA Ireland visited Bernd Kessler in Zurich last week. What was the outcome of these meetings? What information can the Minister of State provide with regard to the future of this company?

The pension and redundancy arrangements for the two thirds of the workforce who have been let go are disgraceful. In that context, the Labour Court judgment in respect of this matter has not been upheld.

The devastating events at SR Technics were closely followed by the crisis at Lufthansa Technik Automotive Ireland in Rathcoole on the Naas Road, where 465 staff were put on protective notice. This will come into force from 27 April. I understand that, following the rejection of the Labour Court recommendations, unions at the Lufthansa facility have appealed directly to the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to intervene in respect of this serious matter and to draw up new proposals or a rescue package. The Lufthansa facility is located close to the Minister of State's constituency. Will he indicate the actions that are being taken to resolve the crisis at Lufthansa Technik and outline the contact the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has had with management at the plant in respect of this matter?

One media commentator observed yesterday that, following events at SR Technics, the loss of Lufthansa would sound the death knell for the heavy aviation engineering and maintenance sectors in Ireland. This industry was painstakingly developed over 75 or 80 years and it is now going to be wiped out.

Many families on the northside of Dublin have suffered greatly and a threat hangs over families in the area the Minister of State represents. Will he outline the developments that have taken place in respect of these two important plants?

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