Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 155: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the contact she has had with a company (details supplied) in County Louth; if she met with the company in New York; the attendees and proposals made; the reaction to the company's decision to close its operations in Drogheda by September 2010 with the loss of more than 100 jobs; her views and the views of the Industrial Development Authority to the formal announcement by the company in October 2009; the proposals made to the company by the IDA; if these proposals will be improved on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39444/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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On Wednesday 9th September, 2009, IFF announced the proposed closure of the plant and the possible loss of up to 95 jobs. IDA Ireland met with IFF on a number of occasions in recent months in both Ireland and the US. Consolidation of Drogheda was discussed with a view to adding some additional activities during which IDA outlined a number of supports that could be provided if the investment was made in Drogheda. This was acknowledged by IFF with the commitment that it would be forwarded to its operating committee and taken into consideration in its final decision. The employees also put forward a cost reduction plan.

On 14th October, I met with a deputation of employees from IFF. Following this, I met with IFF in New York on Friday 23rd October 2009 and detailed the case in favour of Ireland.

On 28th October the Company issued a statement that the decision to proceed with the closure of the Drogheda facility had been reached with production to cease on 30 September 2010 following a phased redundancy programme commencing in the second quarter of 2010.

The decision by the company is most regrettable and I have asked the State development agencies to ensure that they provide every possible assistance and support to the workers who will lose their jobs in the coming year.