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

Let me answer the question. The announcement of the 650 temporary layoffs did come as a surprise. It probably came as a surprise to the management locally as well. They were due to meet the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coveney, next week. There was no indication that this was going to happen in the way it did, all of a sudden. The fact that the mine was under pressure is no secret. Energy prices have gone up and zinc prices have gone down. Everyone knows that. That has been the case for months. The Government will work with the company-----

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