Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I exhort the Minister of State to request a meeting with the management of Vodafone to discuss the details of this matter. As other speakers indicated, this is the second time there have been such job losses in Dundalk, as there were previously in Dublin. The mobility and flexibility concerned have profound implications for people who have to make mortgage arrangements and have normal family expenses to meet, week in, week out. They need some sense of security. We must address this issue, even now when there are very high levels of unemployment and the creation of jobs is clearly difficult. Those in employment are entitled to have a sense of security in that employment. Given the volatility that apparently applies in the call centre area in general, there is a need to look at this issue and to sit down with management, anticipate any problems that may be coming down the tracks and exhort and encourage companies to reverse decisions such as this one.

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