Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like everyone else, I share the natural concern that has been expressed about the Liebherr plant in Killarney. Some 160 of its 670 employees voted in a ballot to reject a recommendation of the Labour Court. This is a serious matter. The company, which has been operating in Killarney since 1958, has been a kind and generous benefactor to Killarney and the wider region and continues to provide tremendous jobs, as it has done for many years. It would be more than a shame if anything untoward were to happen at this stage. There must be a mechanism available to resolve the issue. I appeal to everyone involved, especially the 160 workers who voted against the recommendation, to step back from the brink.

Many former employees of Liebherr subsequently created other major industries, including Munster Glass.