Wellman International examinership
Deputy Collins warned that Wellman International in Cavan faces examinership and possible job losses. The Tánaiste said he would not interfere in examinership or State contracts, but reaffirmed support for Irish industry.
Wellman International in Mullagh, County Cavan, a pioneer in fibre manufacturing since 1973, faces an uncertain future. The company was placed in examinership on 3 June. It has just 100 days to find an investor or buyer to save 217 highly skilled jobs that are vital to the communities of east Cavan and north Meath.
Local Independent Ireland councillor Shane P. O'Reilly, a strong advocate for the workers, has raised serious concerns about management decisions and the lack of State support over the years. It is astonishing that a company which once recycled 4.5 billion bottles annually is not being utilised for the deposit return scheme when 80% of collected bottles are exported to mainland Europe. It is a clear missed opportunity by Enterprise Ireland and the IDA.
I urge the Tánaiste and the State to take immediate action. We do not need reviews or task forces. We need results with 92 days remaining. I will meet the employee committee at Mullagh alongside my Independent Ireland colleague, Councillor O'Reilly. We stand firmly behind them and will ensure the Government does not stand idly by. What will the Tánaiste and Government do to save this company and the 217 jobs at risk?
Comment on this
I appreciate why the Deputy raises this issue but there are two things I will not do. First, I will not interfere in any sort of judicial process around the status or examinership of a company. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle surely would not allow me to do so under the rules of the House anyway. Second, I will not interfere in the awarding of State contracts. We know where that has got the body politic in the past. The awarding of State contracts is independent of the political process.
More broadly and from a policy perspective, we always want to support Irish companies and industry. I have heard reference to this company before in this House during a debate around the circular economy. State agencies including Enterprise Ireland are always available to meet any Irish company to discuss what supports can be put in place. I will ask the Minister for enterprise to link with the Deputy on that.