Boliden Tara mine layoffs
Johnny Guirke raised the 650 job losses at Boliden Tara Mines and said the company had warned Government months earlier. The Taoiseach expressed sympathy, outlined support for workers and said efforts would focus on reopening and securing the mine's future.
I want to raise the devastating news about the 650 job losses at Boliden Tara mines and the thousands of jobs that are indirectly affected by this. SIPTU said the company contacted the Government six months ago about the pressure it was under and heard nothing back.
There were several contributing factors. There was a six-month delay in issuing a drilling licence. We know it was excluded from accessing the European energy fund. Government Ministers said this morning that it came out of the blue. I wrote to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, on 11 May, not for a meeting with me but for a meeting with all Meath Oireachtas Members, SIPTU and the management at Boliden Tara mines. It is very disappointing that he did not facilitate that meeting when we have seen what has come down the road today.
Serious engagement is needed with the company management and workers and their representatives today. The Taoiseach must do all in his power to make sure these are temporary layoffs and that workers who have big mortgages are looked after in the meantime. I spoke to somebody last night who only got a mortgage the other day based on their job in Tara mines. These are good, well-paying jobs.
Comment on this
I again say that my thoughts are very much with the 650 people who have been put on temporary layoff. I understand this will have an impact on thousands of people, not just family members but also other people in Navan and Meath who will be impacted by this. Government will offer support in the form of income support, advice on job searching and options for the employees. However, our main effort will be to get the mine back open as soon as possible, on which we will engage with the company, and to secure its long-term future through Tara Deep. We are working on that as well. I do not know the exact timeline of the engagement between the company and the Government, but I heard the Deputy say that the company wrote to the Government six months ago and got no response. I know that is not the case. There has been engagement and there have been meetings. Indeed, its representatives were scheduled to meet the Minister, Deputy Coveney, only next week.