Gilmore attacks Government over SR Technics

The Government is not working "sufficiently hard" to save 900 jobs at SR Technics in Dublin airport, Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore claimed today.

The company announced in February it was to close its plant at the airport and move operations to Switzerland with the loss of more than 1,100 jobs. Some 600 staff will go at the end of this week, with the remainder to lose their jobs over the coming months.

During Leaders Questions in the Dail this morning, Mr Gilmore said Ireland would end up without an aircraft maintenance facility if SR Technics closes.

While SR Technics was going through a difficult period, it remained a viable operation, the Labour leader insisted. "These jobs can be saved. This is a facility that can be kept in business."

He called on the Government to "respond positively" to the proposed €25 million management buyout of SR Technics. Mr Gilmore said the Taoiseach had yet to respond to that proposal and the 900 jobs which could be saved would be lost unless the Government acts.

Brian Cowen insisted the Government and State agencies were actively trying to find a solution. He said any proposals seeking State support for the company would be "treated in the normal way".

He said discussions on a management buyout were ongoing and it was "not the done deal" that Mr Gilmore was suggesting. "We are working to see if there's a way forward that will be viable."

Mr Gilmore also claimed a Labour delegation was told by the IDA last night that the Department of Transport was aware of the difficulties at ST Technics for some months but failed to inform the Department of Enterprise and Employment or the IDA.

"That's a lie," Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said from the Government front bench.

"It's a lie like the lie that you didn¿t know Aer Lingus was pulling out of Shannon. That was a lie too, wasn't it?" Mr Gilmore retorted.

Following an intervention by the Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue, Mr Dempsey clarified his remark. "I didn't say the Deputy was lying, I'm saying that was a lie."

"So he's withdrawing it? Butter wouldn't melt in his mouth," said Mr Gilmore. "If the Minister for Transport, or indeed any of the other ministers over there, were as good at doing their jobs and saving the jobs of those who are losing them as they are at casting political attacks over in this direction, we'd all be better off."