Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for permission to bring this matter to the floor of the House. This matter concerns employees of Alienware, which is in Athlone. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dell, a fact I and the employees have ascertained. I understand a member of the Acting Chairman's party who is an MEP has been very helpful with regard to the European globalisation fund. A particular block of money was produced to deal with employees of Alienware. The employees wish to know how they can participate in the European globalisation fund awarded to Dell.

Alienware is slowly decreasing its employee numbers. Many have left and many others are to go. The entire exodus will be completed within a few months, which is a very sad event in the town. It was a small manufacturing company doing very good work and had a very good market.

As it is a wholly-owned subsidiary the employees cannot ascertain what is their position with regard to participation in the European globalisation fund. They cannot get any answers from Dell, even though Dell owns the company. They are listening to half-stories and stories so I thought the only way I could get clarification, if such clarification is evident in a matter such as this, was to bring it to the floor of the House so we would know exactly what is the situation.

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