Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for taking these two matters, both of which are relevant to the aerospace industry. Many of the employees of the two companies involved are constituents of mine in Kildare South and there is grave concern about their employment opportunities. This is a specialised field which we should not give away lightly. Talking about IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland being involved is one thing, but the necessity for the Minister to adopt a hands-on approach cannot be overstressed. Some of the employees have been with these two companies for 30 years. The PWAI plant has expertise that is available nowhere else. That has been proved because when the company tried to show that the work could be done elsewhere, the plants to which it intended to move the business had to send engines back to Rathcoole to have them serviced. We cannot afford to lose the high level of expertise that has been generated during the years. There has never been an industrial dispute at the company. There has been nothing but co-operation between the workforce and management to achieve a successful progressive company. The line Minister must become involved. There is no point telling me that he is close at hand, as he said in a written answer to Deputy Emmet Stagg's question. This issue is too important for such contact. It must be dealt with hands-on by the Minister. These jobs must be protected because the aerospace industry is going to progress, as we have seen with Ryanair's purchase of new airliners. We should hold onto this industry. It is important that the Minister be involved personally.

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