Boliden Tara Mines plans to lay off 650 workers on 14 July. I raised this with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coveney, during Question Time earlier. I express my gratitude to him for his understanding of the issues of concern and his continued engagement. It is understood and appreciated.

SIPTU, Connect Trade Union and Unite the Union put cost-saving measures to the company last week. Tara Mines management has decided to carry on regardless. Yesterday, it pressed the button in respect of the nuclear option of 650 layoffs. As the Minister has acknowledged, the unions have done their bit. They put substantial cost-saving measures to the company last week. The missing piece of the jigsaw is a scheme of Government supports, especially of energy subventions. As Adrian Kane of SIPTU stated on "Morning Ireland" earlier, a political intervention is required. Why are we waiting for the development of the proposition of a German-style short-time working scheme to make interventions like this that would make a difference in supporting workers during difficult trading periods?

The Deputy and I had an opportunity to discuss this earlier. I recognise the constructive role the union leadership has played in what has been a difficult few weeks for people employed at Tara Mines. They made a genuine, pragmatic intervention by proposing cost reductions to try to improve the viability of the plant. I have spoken to the management and to workers' representatives. We spoke again yesterday to senior management to get an update. The financial pressures on the company and the predicted losses this year, if it stays open, are significant, as the Deputy is aware. We will continue to work with the company to ensure that we do everything we possibly can to support workers. We are also working to ensure that if the plant goes into care and maintenance, the period between when that happens and when the plant reopens will be as short as possible