My priority is that any decision taken by Bank of America (BOA) will have minimal impact on employees at the Carrick on Shannon operation and ensure that jobs are maintained at the facility. I emphasised this when I travelled to the USA recently and held discussions with BOA CEO and senior management. While the company has not made any final sale decisions, I am satisfied as to its current level of engagement with IDA Ireland.
IDA Ireland has had regular contact with local management since the announcement by Bank of America to monitor the evolving situation and has engaged its international network of overseas offices to identify groups with a potential interest in the Carrick operation.
It is still very early in the process of attempting to maximise future activity and employment at the Carrick facility. There has been positive preliminary interest. However it would clearly take some time for any definitive proposal to emerge and be selected. Fortunately, Bank of America has not set down any rigid timelines so there is an opportunity for both it and the IDA to evaluate opportunities.