Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I offer a word of sympathy on the loss of the great Dub, Christy Dignam. I send our solidarity to his family. Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann, gan dabht.

The news overnight of 650 job losses at Tara Mines has left workers, families and the wider community reeling. The suspension of operations at the mine is devastating and a body blow that will affect the entire community. Workers are being laid off without pay in a matter of weeks. They are now worried about how they will make their mortgage payments and what the future will hold. I express our support and solidarity to these workers and their families at this difficult time They include apprentices who are in the middle of their training and need certainty about how that training can continue.

The impact on the wider community and local economy in Navan will be considerable. Everything that can be done must be done to save these jobs and protect the workers at Tara Mines. The Government must engage with management and the parent company to do everything possible to maintain these jobs. Is buille uafásach é dúnadh Mianaigh na Teamhrach d’oibrithe, dá dteaghlaigh agus don mhórphobal san Uaimh. Ní mór gach rud is féidir a dhéanamh chun tarraingt siar ón gcinneadh agus ní mór gach iarracht a dhéanamh chun na poist seo a shábháil.

While no one could have anticipated the sudden and drastic announcement that came overnight, there was an awareness that the mine was under pressure and there were concerns about its future. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, said in a radio interview this morning that this news "is coming out of the blue". Is that really the case? Everyone paying attention knew there was a very serious problem. In fact, my colleague Deputy Guirke wrote to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, who is responsible for the mining industry, on 11 May. That was more than a month ago. I have the letter here. In it, Deputy Guirke warned about the risk of job losses, stating: "If this risk becomes a reality, that would be a major blow to this region, and certainly merits Government intervention as soon as possible." He went on to request that the Minister meet with Meath Oireachtas representatives, along with representatives of SIPTU and the Boliden Tara Mines. By way of response, Deputy Guirke received an acknowledgement from the Minister's office promising to bring the matter to the Minister's attention, and then nothing further. His warning and call for action were met with silence.

Deputy Guirke's letter was written because at that stage, six weeks ago, conversations were ongoing between the union and management and concerns were very, very high. Was the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, in communication with the company? Was he aware of the very serious pressure on the mine and its precarious position? Did he share that information with the other members of the Government? Six weeks later and with the worst having come to pass, why is it that the Government is only now looking to take action?

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