Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to bring this matter to the attention of the Dáil and the Government.

Wilker Auto Conversions, based in Clara, County Offaly, last night informed 80 members of a workforce of approximately 100 of its intention to temporarily close its facility owing to components from the UK that it needs to complete work on its line being delayed at customs and ports. The company produces excellent products, which are primarily used in the ambulance sector. It services the HSE, among other public services in Ireland and the UK. It is the largest company engaged in this type of auto conversion in Ireland and the UK. The company's decision was shocking for staff, their families and their communities and our immediate concern is for them. An assurance was immediately sought from management that it would meet trade unions and assure the workforce, via the unions, of its commitment to the welfare and rights of its workforce and to finding options that may pertain to their income over the intervening period. That assurance was forthcoming.

The issue at hand is of great concern. It is one of the first cases of temporary job losses, with the potential further losses, arising from the implications of Brexit. It is not as if this company was ill-prepared. It had employed outside expertise to assist in ensuring it was in a position to meet demands placed on it as a result of Brexit. It would appear that that is not necessarily the same for UK companies that trade with Irish firms. This is a very worrying trend that needs to be addressed.

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and acknowledge the absence of the Minister for Finance, who could not be here today.

There are obligations on Government in a cross-departmental capacity in this area, whether it be the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Transport, or Foreign Affairs, and in respect of Revenue and Customs and Excise. The issues and difficulties that have arisen because of the unfortunate error on the part of the EU last weekend, when it sought to invoke Article 16 of the Northern Ireland protocol, opened the door for many people north of the Border to raise issues in regard to the east-west trade between Britain and Northern Ireland. That has led to conciliation talks in an effort to resolve the issues, involving officials from the relevant Departments and officials from the EU and the UK. I hope and expect that the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, can bring to bear on those who are representing this country in those talks and negotiations to investigate also the issues that have arisen as a result of the case I have raised and many other similar ones that are brewing, if they have not already brewed.

My immediate ask is that the relevant Departments converse with the company in question, identify the issues at hand and work with other Departments to ensure that an effort is made to smooth the pathway to resolving those issues. We all feared the implications of Brexit. It was never going to be easy and the ramifications were always going to be there. This is one such ramification and it is of grave concern to me and my constituents. I want to be able to assure them that every effort is being made by our officials to ensure that this process is eased.

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