Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Taoiseach will acknowledge that many people were surprised by the lack of awareness, of both the Department and the IDA in respect of the announcement of the job losses. In Novartis's case, we understand it has been an ongoing consideration for a year. Has the Taoiseach ruled out the notion of a task force or will he reclassify an existing body as a task force to deal with this, as has been done in the past? Will he confirm that the workers will have access to the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, EGF, as happened in previous cases of significant job losses?

On the lack of awareness, the Taoiseach might recall I raised several times the need to have direct dialogue on an enterprise-by-enterprise basis on the impact of Brexit. I have had discussions with a number of enterprises that have started short-term working or reduced overtime because of Brexit. I refer not only to enterprises in the agrifood and tourism areas but also those in manufacturing. We need to have enterprise-by-enterprise analysis in order that we will not be taken by surprise at shocks such as the announcement yesterday. Will that be done?

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