I will raise the shocking announcement of 77 job losses at Hilton Foods in Drogheda last Friday. This news is bad at any time, but is especially so coming so soon after Christmas. It has been a devastating blow to those 77 workers and their families. I have appealed to the Tánaiste to engage with the company to explore all avenues as a means to protect those jobs. I ask the Taoiseach and the Government to take a proactive approach and to engage with the company to ensure that every single cost-saving exercise is being explored to try to save those jobs. I also ask them to ensure that all supports and help available to those workers will be followed through on.

Yes, it is devastating news for the workers involved. The State agencies should do everything they possibly can to support them and help to ensure that the company can stay open, if that is possible. I do not have the full background to the rationale behind the decision, but it is critical that the State agencies also engage with the workers to support them in every way possible in respect of supports and helping them to seek alternative employment, if that turns out to be the case.