Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

I concur with Deputy Crawford. I visited one of the main units of the Quinn Group which was located not far from where the Deputy lives. Hundreds of young people from counties Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Donegal and Sligo were working in open plan offices in an atmosphere of high morale. If these jobs are put at risk in any way, it would be devastating for this part of the country. The letter from Mr. Quinn states that 5,500 jobs may be put at risk.

When an administrator went into ICI, the number of employees at the company was reduced from 2,500 to 800 by the time it was sold off and trading profitably as a private enterprise. If it is legally possible to do so, I ask the Minister to communicate to the regulator and, through him, the administrators that this House regards the preservation of employment as a priority.

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