Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy and I had an opportunity to discuss this earlier. I recognise the constructive role the union leadership has played in what has been a difficult few weeks for people employed at Tara Mines. They made a genuine, pragmatic intervention by proposing cost reductions to try to improve the viability of the plant. I have spoken to the management and to workers' representatives. We spoke again yesterday to senior management to get an update. The financial pressures on the company and the predicted losses this year, if it stays open, are significant, as the Deputy is aware. We will continue to work with the company to ensure that we do everything we possibly can to support workers. We are also working to ensure that if the plant goes into care and maintenance, the period between when that happens and when the plant reopens will be as short as possible

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