Tánaiste Expresses Disappointment at Job Losses

Tánaiste Mary Harney, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment this afternoon (Friday, 11 July, 2003) expressed her disappointment at what she described as "the shocking news of job losses in Tayto, Guinness, Oran Pre-Cast, in Galway".

The Tánaiste said that "these developments clearly underline the challenge that we face in maintaining competitiveness". The Tánaiste said that she "was confident that Ireland was better placed than most of its competitors to withstand the effects of what was clearly a global phenomenon".

The Tánaiste went on to express her sympathy with the workers involved and their families and confirmed that the full resources of the state agencies would be available in terms of finding alternative employment and providing any necessary retraining for job opportunities that arise in the future.

ENDS