Statement by Minister Martin on Closure of Drogheda Coca Cola Beverages Plant

The announcement by the Coca Cola Company that it is closing its beverage concentrates plant in Drogheda in 12 months time is a great blow to its employees and our immediate concern is for those workers and their families.

I have asked the State Development Agencies, including FÁS, to provide every possible support and advice to the workers and whatever retraining maybe necessary to help them secure alternative employment.

I welcome Coca Cola’s offer to provide some workers with the opportunity to take up some of the 90 new posts it is creating in Athy and Ballina, which will take over production.

I am pleased that the company has also committed itself to provide a generous redundancy and early retirement package as well as financial advice, job search, re-training and business start up assistance to the employees affected by this announcement.

I welcome the commitment by Coca Cola to its remaining 540 employees in Ireland and in particular to the company retaining its 112 Shared Services employees in Drogheda who support its operations worldwide.

ENDS/ETE1775