Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

It will be fine if it is circulated later to Members.

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, for his response. He made some comments recently with regard to the industrial development agencies in general and the IDA in particular and I share the views he expressed. I note his statement today referred to the success of the financial services industry and the inward investment in recent years. Moreover, in many of his statements on the investment in research and development that now is paying dividends, he quite rightly lauds the policies that have been developed and implemented over the past decade.

None of us is suggesting we come into conflict with the union's position, proposals or discussion with the company.

It is much better that a Government representative, such as the Minister, Deputy Bruton, or the Minister of State conveys to the company the concerns of the workers and community. We want to maintain and increase the number of jobs in the country if possible. Based on the figures I quoted, Aviva is a very profitable company and is doing extremely well.

I hope the Government will not be responding to a negative announcement from the company. It is essential that members of the Government at ministerial level take an active approach to convey to the company our anxiety that it retains its staffing complement in the country at a difficult time for employment. The Government can, in its deliberations with the company, deal with any concerns it might have and provide an analysis of the economy.

Sending a development agency to deal with the company on its own when there is a major threat to jobs is not adequate. I am sure the Minister of State agrees the Government has to take a hands on approach to this issue when people's jobs and livelihoods are at stake. We all sincerely hope jobs and livelihoods are not at stake and want to ensure we take every opportunity to send a clear message to the company that we want it to retain its staffing complement on our island.

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