Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join the Deputy in expressing my sadness at the news Christy Dignam has passed. He was a legend, a real, great Dub and somebody who will be sorely missed in this city, across the country and by the wider music community.

I thank the Deputy for raising the important and serious news that 650 staff have, in effect, been put on leave without pay essentially, or temporary redundancy, for the period ahead. Of course, it is not just about the 6560 staff in the mine. It is also about subcontractors, supply chain and the wider impact on the economy of Navan and the wider Meath area. My first thoughts are with all those affected, including the directly affected workers, their families and anyone who will be indirectly affected. I give the assurance that the Government is here to help, whether with job search, income support or advice on skills, education and enterprise. All the things the Government does will now click in to ensure the workers have their rights protected and know what their options are.

The Deputy mentioned the apprentices. Enterprise Ireland is working at the moment to transfer them to other firms in order that they can continue with their education and not lose out on any time. That work is already under way. We are very keen to make sure this is a temporary closure and that the mine can be reopened and staff can return to their jobs as soon as possible.

There has been ongoing engagement with the company for quite some time. I visited the mine along with the former Minister of State, Deputy English, and the Minister, Deputy McEntee, when it was flooded many months ago. There were concerns at the time about the future of the mine. I met the people at Tara Mines a few months ago as the then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. There have also been engagements involving the Ministers, Deputies Eamon Ryan, Coveney, McEntee and Humphreys. I do not know the exact details and timeline of all those engagements but it is the case that there has been an engagement with the company for several months, relating in particular to increased energy costs.

A significant change in recent weeks is the very significant fall in the price and value of zinc. If a mine produces zinc and the price of zinc falls, that obviously has a consequence. Energy prices have gone up. That is nothing new. Zinc prices have gone down and that is significant. I understand the company made a decision at international level to close the mine on a temporary basis. Neither energy costs nor zinc prices are under the direct control of the company or the Government. There has been ongoing engagement with the company and we want to help. That can involve putting in place an energy scheme. We have energy schemes in place for small businesses and large businesses. In addition, bespoke schemes are available where they are required. However, it is not as simple as that. The price of zinc has gone down on the international market. When the product a company produces falls in value, it has to do the maths. It would appear this company has done the maths and has decided to close the mine temporarily.

Our objective in the immediate term is to make sure the apprentices can continue their apprenticeships in other companies and the 650 people who were laid off get income support and any advice and help they need in terms of alternative employment, education, training and all the things that click in when job losses occur. In the medium term, the objective is to get the mine back open. We are willing to work with the company on doing exactly that. Also, there has been significant engagement with the company on its long-term plans. There are plans for the long term to develop what is called Tara Deep, which is the next phase of the mine. If we can get agreement on that, we can secure the future of the mine for decades ahead. That is the objective.

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