Tánaiste Visits Donegal Amid Growing Fears for Jobs at Fruit of the Loom

Tánaiste Mary Harney visits Donegal Sunday 6th and Monday 7th September, 1998 for an intensive round of meetings and plant visits in advance of her meeting in Dublin next week with Fruit of the Loom Chief Executive Bill Farley.

Arriving in Buncrana, the Tánaiste said, "I have been extremely concerned for the future of jobs in Fruit of the Loom for some time. For that reason I've had four meetings with Bill Farley over the past year with another set for next week. While the company has given guarantees about maintaining jobs until the end of this year there are justifiable concerns about job losses after that due to competitive pressures in the industry."

The Tánaiste revealed that she has raised the situation directly with President Clinton during her meeting with him last Friday. She emphasised to him the importance of Fruit of the Loom to the Donegal economy and the impact that job reductions would have on individuals, families and communities. She also had discussions with US Secretary for Commerce William Daley. "Secretary Daley undertook to make contact with Mr. Farley and to outline to him the concern of the Irish Government." Secretary Daley has since informed the Tánaiste that he has made contact by telephone and would have further discussions with Mr. Farley on his return to the US this week.

Sunday's Donegal itinerary includes the Tánaiste having meetings with Dáil Deputies, representatives of Buncrana UDC, the County Council, Buncrana Area Enterprise Initiative, SIPTU and IBEC. Monday sees the Tánaiste visit three Fruit of the Loom plants at Milford, Raphoe and Buncrana. Top FOL management Felix Sulzberger and Henry Rauzi will fly in from the company's European HQ for these visits and meetings.

The Tánaiste is accompanied on her Donegal visit by senior Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment officials and IDA Chief Executive Kieran McGowan.

The Tánaiste informed the various delegations she met that, in the face of the threat of further job losses, everything possible is being done to seek replacement businesses and jobs. Pressed about the possibilities in this regard, the Tánaiste said that she would not underestimate the difficulties but "given a positive attitude on the part of the community and its leaders in the face of adversity Donegal can press its case strongly for further investment". The Tánaiste also emphasised the possibilities that the consolidation of the peace process in Northern Ireland could bring. "A lasting peace and strengthened democracy in Northern Ireland can bring huge benefits to Donegal and the southern border counties. It is vital that a return to violence is not even contemplated."