Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 2

Written Answers - Job Protection.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

144 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the assurances she has been given regarding the future security of jobs with a company (details supplied) in the medium as well as the short-term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13682/01]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

Ireland is the nerve centre of the company's Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) operations and is the key to the company's development in the region. Over the past ten years, the company has continued to invest in Ireland and now has five facilities, with a combined workforce of 5,700 people at locations in Limerick, Bray and Cherrywood, Loughlinstown. The company has a long-established track record in Ireland and is proud of the contribution it has made and continues to make to the Irish economy.

As part of its standard business practice, the company is continuing to review its operations here and throughout the world on a regular basis. It is cautious about forward statements or predictions, particularly in the current market climate. In common with other computer companies, the company has been affected by the current downturn in the US, and its chairman has described the environment for the company as challenging.

However, the company remains committed to its successful operations in Ireland and has, to date, met all of its commitments in terms of job numbers. Limerick is one of its most cost-efficient and productive manufacturing facilities worldwide. The company's goal is to ensure that this continues.

The company's strategy is to build on the successes of its business to date by continuing to take the market share in a slower market. That focus has recently made it number one worldwide. It will continue to focus on price aggression and cost efficiencies. The company believes it can achieve these goals and will always endeavour to be a quality employer in Ireland.