800 people have now been laid off at the Tara Mines site in Co Meath. Local TD Peadar Tóibín says the situation there is "spiralling" and the onus is on the Government to sort matters out.
He says there is an impasse in discussions between unions at management of the company, and workers are now planning a sit-in at the site. Deputy Tóibín highlighted how the priority now is on the protection of workers and on the future of the business,
He added that Minister for Enterprise Simon Coveney has committed to meeting the six Meath TDs next week as part of a concerted effort to find a solution. "Its incredibly frustrating that two weeks has gone by, 800 people have been laid off and we are yet to see real action by the Government to protect these jobs.
"It's also deeply shocking that the Minister of Social Protection has stated that planned financial supports for workers that have been made redundant will not be made available to Tara Mines workers.
"Disagreement remains between the Unions and the Management in relation to the terms of the lay off and now we are facing a sit in by workers and union members due to the impasse. The situation at Tara Mines is spiralling at the moment and the Government need to get hold of the situation to protect the workers and the future of business.
"Key to all of this is viability of Tara Mines and energy costs is one area that the government could help," said Deputy Tóibín
