Republican News · Thursday 2 May 2002

Shock at Ardagh Glass decision

The shock announcement of 375 job losses at the Irish Glass Factory in Ringsend is a devastating blow to the workers and the communities of Ringsend and Irishtown, said Daithí Doolan, Sinn Féin candidate for Dublin South East. Speaking from the factory gates after the announcement on Tuesday, 30 April, Doolan called on all parties in the run up to the election "to work to keep this factory open and to ensure a fair deal for all 375 workers.

"This crisis flies in the face of Bertie Ahern's promises of a better future," he said. "In light of the recent report into Ireland's economic downturn, is this an example of the collapse of the Celtic Tiger?"

"This company continues to make profits and now the management has reneged on the agreement reached with the workers. We at Sinn Féin have met with the involved unions on a number of occasions and we understand the commitment the unions had to keeping this factory open. They had accepted voluntary redundancies and changes in working practices but this is how they have been treated. It is disgraceful."