As the Deputy will be aware, ICI has indicated a desire to dispose of its 49 per cent shareholding in Irish Fertilizer Industries (IFI). On the day of the recent annual general meeting of IFI, I met with the board following that meeting and, in particular, the ICI nominated directors, to discuss ICI's intentions and my own interest in the company's future. In addition, I also had on a separate occasion a productive meeting with representatives of the IFI group of unions.
I will shortly be discussing the matter with the chairman of ICI to examine the available options and to seek to make progress on an agreed approach to funding a new shareholder to replace ICI. Pending such contact with ICI, no firm decisions have yet been taken regarding IFI. However, I can assure the Deputy that my priority is to seek to secure the future of IFI as a fertilizer manufacturer and to ensure that the maximum level of employment possible is maintained. To this end, I expect that matters will progress significantly in the coming months.