asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the action he has taken to save the Philips plant in Clonskeagh, Dublin 14, from closure; and if he will make a statement on the prospects for those employed there.
Written Answers. - Clonskeagh (Dublin) Factory.
517.
Demand for the products manufactured by Philips in its Dublin factory has in recent years been declining as these products were superseded by new developments. Against that background the IDA has been endeavouring to persuade the Philips Group to allocate the manufacture of a new range of products to its Dublin factory in the interests of preserving manufacturing employment there. I myself have also pursued this possibility with the parent company which I visited last year.
I recently learned from the company that they intend to terminate their existing manufacturing operations in Ireland on 31 December next. Philips have indicated that they are not in a position at this stage to provide an alternative manufacturing project in Dublin as the group is engaged in a major rationalisation of its European operations from which a significant reduction in overall employment in the group is likely to result. Philips will, however, maintain employment in its Irish sales and servicing activities.
I regret the impending cessation by the company of its long established manufacturing operations in Ireland. The IDA will, however, maintain continuous contact with it in the hope that opportunities for the establishment of a new project could arise at a later date.