Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

This morning 1,500 people in Waterford, in a company called Bausch & Lomb, are waiting to see whether they will keep their jobs. It is estimated that more than 150 jobs will go. When this company went on short time a couple of months ago, I asked that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment intervene with the company to protect the jobs of the workers. To the best of my knowledge, that did not happen. I ask again that the Minister and her officials speak to the company with the aim of protecting the jobs of the remainder of the workforce.

The company provides excellent employment opportunities and it is essential these jobs are retained for the sake of Waterford and the south east. It is incumbent on the Tánaiste to meet the management of Bausch & Lomb to discuss the protection of these highly skilled jobs. It is better to assist a company while it is still operating than to spend a fortune supporting the laid-off workers through social welfare. The Taoiseach spoke about this, but speaking and acting are two different matters. I ask for action.