Rochfortbridge Notes

Local politicians have welcomed the news that the Iralco plant at Collinstown is to remain in operation, but warned that there will be difficult times ahead for the company and the area.

“There was a lot of goodwill on both sides at that meeting on Sunday and hopefully that can be harnessed,” Senator Donie Cassidy told the Examiner. “Hopefully, trust and respect can be restored between the workers and the employers. That is what is needed now. The orders have been confirmed which has been a huge source of help and assistance and I certainly want to wish everyone well in getting the factory up and open aqain. I think there is a huge challenge ahead for everyone concerned,” he stated.

Labour`s Deputy Willie Penrose said that following the successful negotiations securing work for the next six months should be treated as an opportunity to try and secure it even further into the future.

“This announcement that the Iralco Plant in Collinstown is to remain in operation and that it is to be sold as a going concern is very welcome. This announcement provides an opportunity for everybody to come together and to work towards safeguarding the long term future of the plant. Iralco continues to enjoy a strong customer base and a skilled and dedicated workforce and I now hope that all parties involved will work together to achieve the goal of securing these jobs,” the Ballynacargy TD declared.

“I spoke both to the liquidator and to the unions representing the workers and I would like to compliment them for the hard work that they did over the last few days. I know that the months ahead will be crucial to finding a long term solution and that there are anxious times ahead,” he stated.

Fine Gael deputy for Meath West, Damien English, which covers areas such as Fore, Oldcastle, Delvin and Clonmellon from where many employees at Iralco are drawn, said the pressure was now on the Government to try and secure the long term viability of the plant.

The Party spokesperson on Labour Affairs, English said that while the averted closure of the factory is welcome news for the county, he warned that a dark cloud will loom over the employment of the people at the Collinstown plant unless the Government intervenes in the next six months.

“If after six months the parent company of Iralco is determined to pull out of the Irish market, the Government must ensure an alternative use of the plant. My fear is that Government inactivity will lead to the same situation as in Ballivor when NEC closed - an empty factory with no jobs,” he stated.

Deputy English said Iralco, which manufactures car components, is yet another victim of the Fianna Fáil Government`s failure to control rising business costs in Ireland. The company has already transferred a large number of jobs to a facility in Eastern Europe.

“Iralco is a pivotal employer in this part of County Westmeath. For 30 years it has provided regular work for employees across a large swathe of the county, with many staff travelling from 40 miles away on a daily basis. I am calling on the Government and all relevant State agencies to redouble their efforts in the next six months to secure the future of Iralco. At the very least the Government must strive to ensure that hundreds of jobs are not lost to the midlands.”

Also welcoming the news, Deputy James Bannon said he had only criticised the lack of Government action in the Dáil last Thursday.

“I criticised the lack of Government action in relation to rising unemployment in the midlands. The settlement is heartening, as it allows time for a long-term solution to be found so that Iralco can remain in county Westmeath.

“I am delighted that the liquidators listened to reason and allowed this stay of closure. Negotiations were difficult, but reasonable and the outcome is a cause for celebration by the workers and their families.”

The Legan politician also slammed his Fianna Fáil colleagues in the Longford/Westmeath constituency for not supporting a question he raised about Iralco in the Dáil on Thursday also.

“Government Deputies O`Rourke and Kelly can hang their heads in shame. Their lack of support for the debate on the Private Notice Question, which I put down in the Dail, is indicative of their lack of commitment to the workers of Longford/Westmeath.”