Statement by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, TD – Re Procter and Gamble

“The announcement by Procter and Gamble that 280 jobs will be lost at its plant in Nenagh, County Tipperary, by 2009 is very disappointing.

I am conscious that this has been a difficult period for the workers and their families with the past year bringing a lot of uncertainty.

Since it was announced that Procter and Gamble was carrying out a review I have remained in close contact with both the company and the IDA.

While the fact that 220 jobs will be maintained at Nenagh is to be welcomed, in the intervening two years FÁS and the other agencies of the State will give the workers losing their jobs every possible support in securing alternative employment.

It is clear that the workforce in Nenagh has performed very well and this decision was a global strategic one and not based on the performance of the workers.

ENDS/ETE1713

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Jerry O’Connor,

Media Advisor,

087 66 30 338