FF cites Austrian efforts to retain its tyre plant

THE loss of 1,000 jobs in one week at long established firms emphasised that the Government's early warning system for plant closures was not working, the deputy leader of Fianna Fail, Ms Mary O'Rourke, has said.

In contrast to the Austrian government, the Government here did not appear to be applying the intensity of effort that was necessary to prevent plant closures, she said last night.

Ms O'Rourke said that an emergency cabinet meeting was held in Austria last April to work out ways to prevent Semperit closing its operations there. That plan was followed up with intensity and Austria has maintained its Semperit plant, albeit with a reduced workforce. Had this course been taken here, the Irish Semperit plant might have been maintained in full, given that it was so profitable.

The Fianna Fail spokesman on Labour Affairs, Mr Tom Kitt, called on Semperit Ireland to give a categorical assurance that it would not veto the sale of its Ballyfermot plant to any of its competitors.

The Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Richard Bruton, should vigorously lobby "the potential buyers and ensure the 650 jobs were saved. Mr Kitt said Mr Bruton should also seek the support of the European Commission in an effort to save the jobs.

Dublin Labour TD Mr Joe Costello said a buyer had to be found as soon as possible following the phased wind down of the plant. The company had an annual pay roll of £20 million, the loss of which would have serious consequences for smaller businesses in Ballyfermot.