Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is, indeed, an investment programme which the company has committed to but it requires a restructuring of its operations. Its intention is to achieve state-of-the-art production lines in Coolock. There were counterproposals and Enterprise Ireland supported the workers in furnishing those counterproposals. The position is they have entered into the detailed negotiations that I outlined in terms of the restructuring proposals the company is seeking and those are ongoing with both the Labour Court and the Workplace Relations Commission playing a role to seek to find solutions. As I indicated, Enterprise Ireland will also support the company. It has programmes, such as lean manufacturing programmes, which can allow a company successfully achieve the competitiveness it needs.

Unfortunately, this is a situation where the company has indicated that restructuring is needed to be competitive in its markets and we are seeking to work with that and minimise the job losses. I share the Deputy's concern that we need to minimise the job losses but I would point out that Dublin has been enjoying a recovery. While there are some companies experiencing difficulties with which we deal, and it is a fight every day, there are also companies which are growing strongly. We work to achieve such growth as well.

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