Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 January 2012
24 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he is taking to secure jobs at a site (details supplied) in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3948/12]
View answerAs stated previously, my priority is that any decision taken by Bank of America will have minimal impact on employees at the Carrick on Shannon operation and ensure that jobs are maintained at the facility. The process regarding the sale of Bank of America's Irish and UK credit card businesses is ongoing. There is considerable interest in both the MBNA Ireland portfolio and the MBNA UK portfolio, which will almost certainly be sold separately. Negotiations regarding the sale of the MBNA Ireland portfolio have continued to advance in recent weeks.
IDA has met the relevant parties, is monitoring the situation closely and is providing relevant input into the process as it is moves forward. IDA is in regular contact with local Bank of America management in Carrick on Shannon and Dublin and at corporate level to monitor developments.
Separate to the above, IDA has been and continues to market Carrick on Shannon and the Bank of America MBNA capability there to other potential investors, should the above negotiations fail to lead to a positive outcome result. This has included creating a detailed profile/factfile in conjunction with Bank of America MBNA management to highlight the skillset, experience and facility in Carrick on Shannon. This profile is being used by IDA's international network of offices to market both the centre itself and the location.
