Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 26: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when her attention was first drawn to the impending closure of a company (details supplied) in County Dublin; the steps she took to inform the employees and the Cabinet; and if discussions were held to set up an emergency employment task force to address the future employment needs of the workforce who are to be laid off; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14665/09]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 27: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason no consideration was given to a proposal to nationalise a company (details supplied) in view of its vital national economic strategic interest, the fact that Ireland is an island nation, that the State holds a key shareholding in both Aer Lingus and Údarás Aerfort Átha Cliath and other airports here, the number of employees facing unemployment with no prospect of employment again in their field, and the fact that it was a profitable company prior to the development company closing it to relocate. [14680/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together.

The formal decision by SR Technics to close the Dublin facility was first conveyed at a meeting on 11 February 2009. However, I had been aware for some months before that date that the company was engaged in a major review of group operations which would have consequences for the Dublin facility. IDA had intensified its engagement with the company with a view to assisting the Irish subsidiary to achieve the optimal outcome in the circumstances.

The Government is anxious that as many jobs as possible are secured at Dublin Airport. We would like to see the SR Technics Group do what it can to assist and I have conveyed this and the widespread concern in Ireland that every effort be made to maintain the maximum number of jobs at the facility at Dublin Airport, to SR Technics at Group level.

IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland have formed a project team to promote the operation through the IDA overseas network of offices and to meet with and assess expressions of interest in the operation.

There are a number of expressions of interest from different parties in acquiring at least elements of the business and both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland are actively exploring options with interested parties. Time is needed to assess these proposals by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. Actual involvement by IDA Ireland or Enterprise Ireland in providing financial or other supports will be dependent on a company or companies submitting proposals for consideration and seeking approval for State support in the normal way. It is not proposed to take the Irish operation into public ownership. The sector operates on the basis of a competitive market and the Dublin operation, whether publicly or privately owned, will have to compete on a level playing field with other companies in the same market.

The State Agencies will continue to engage with all groups, indigenous and overseas, interested in building commercially viable and sustainable operations to secure as many of the jobs as possible at Dublin Airport.