Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

This is a highly important issue that affects not just east Cavan but also Meath, Monaghan and the entire community of Mullagh. I contend that way more than 217 people will be affected by this. In addition to the workers themselves, there are ancillary staff, canteen staff and many outside companies that provide services and look after machinery in the facility. I have been in regular contact with the staff within Wellman over recent days following this really shocking announcement. This is devastating to say the least. Families and workers have felt this coming for some time. I have relatives who work there and who raised families while doing so. Over the 50 years they spent in Wellman, the company demonstrated great loyalty to the staff employed in it, the community of Mullagh and way beyond.

It is very sad to hear this announcement but we have to deal with reality. The company went into an examinership process on 3 June. That process is overseen by a court. The company is placed under court protection for a period of time to allow for the potential rescue and return to financial health of the company, which may be in severe financial difficulty, potentially securing its viability. It is incredibly important to say that this examinership process always looks for ways to protect jobs and the company, ensuring its viability into the future. That is the way we need to continue to talk about Wellman International. We must talk about it as something we hope will be there long into the future.

The foremost concern of the Minister, Deputy Burke, and the Government is the potential impact on employees and their families during this difficult and uncertain time. As I said at the outset, I have spoken to quite a number of them since this announcement was made. People who are coming towards the end of their working careers are concerned about their pensions. There are second generations of some families working in Wellman International who have much younger families. They are also concerned about where their income will come from in the future. I can confirm that the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment received collective redundancy notifications from Wellman International Limited on 6 June, details of which are for the company to disclose. However, Ireland has a robust suite of employment rights legislation in place to protect and support workers where collective redundancies are proposed by an employer. The Protection of Employment Act 1977 imposes certain legal obligations in these situations, including the requirement to consult and provide information to employee representatives for a 30-day period before any notice of redundancy can issue. The consultation with employee representatives should include the possibility of avoiding the proposed redundancies, reducing the number of employees affected or mitigating the consequences. The proposed collective redundancy must also be notified to the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment at least 30 days before the first dismissal takes place. Furthermore, the Government provides a range of supports to employees facing job losses. The Intreo services of the Department of Social Protection can assist with income supports and relevant employment and training opportunities where needed.

I would like to talk about this in more positive terms. I hope that the examinership process provides a viable proposition for a new buyer to come in.

I am sorry. I did not realise I was over my time. I will revert further.