Tánaiste Mary Harney today (2 March 1999) confirmed the establishment of a Task Force that will "examine and respond to the immediate training and employment needs of the employees of Arlington and accelerate priority action on job creation across County Laois."

The Tánaiste was visiting Portarlington this afternoon in the aftermath of Avon's decision to close its Portarlington facility with the loss of 345 jobs from the end of April.

During her visit the Tánaiste met workers, SIPTU, Management and Local representatives and the newly established Task Force.

The Task Force will be chaired by Mr. Michael Malone, Laois County manager and comprise representatives of IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, FÁS, the Laois County Enterprise Board, SIPTU, IBEC and local industry (see notes for editors).

Speaking after her meeting with SIPTU and members of the workforce, Tánaiste Mary Harney said "Clearly this is a major blow to the Portarlington area. I have assured the workers representatives that urgent priority attention will be given to the immediate needs of the employees who are losing their jobs. This will be the first job of the Task Force."

"There is also a major issue that needs to be addressed - that is attracting foreign industry to County Laois," the Tánaiste acknowledged. "In the aftermath of this closure the Government is determined that new industry is attracted to the county. The presence here today of Sean Dorgan, Chief Executive of IDA Ireland is testimony to the seriousness with which the Government views the situation."

In her remarks the Tánaiste said that the Task Force model had been very successful in other closure situations, for example in Galway after the Digital closure, in Clonmel after the Seagate shutdown, in Offally after Atlantic Mills closed. "I will be receiving regular feedback from the County Manager who has kindly agreed to chair the group. I want this Task Force to be action oriented, as opposed to concentrating on producing reports" the Tánaiste emphasised.

Tánaiste Mary Harney at her meeting with the Task Force impressed upon them "the urgency of their task" and that "positive outcomes were essential." The Tánaiste was assured by the company when she met them in Portarlington today that they will work closely with the Task force to assist the workers in exploring the most suitable education, training, employment and enterprise options available to them. The company will also co-operate fully with the IDA in arrangements to market the plant for a replacement industry. The Tánaiste asked the company to enter into early discussions with SIPTU to finalise a fair and equatible severence package for employees.

The terms of reference for the Task Force will be:

• To secure alternative job creating enterprise both from overseas and indigenous investors for Laois;
• To provide an immediate skills assessment and suitable training opportunities for the affected workers; and
• To provide the necessary information and assistance to any employees who may wish to establish their own enterprises.

The Tánaiste asked the Chairman of the Task Force to liaise with public, private sector and community bodies which can assist in promoting the area for investment and job-creation. The Tánaiste has arranged for FÁS, in conjunction with the company, union representatives and the Laois County Enterprise Board, to commence an immediate intervention programme to

• Provide assistance to employees, i.e. job seeking skills, interview techniques, early retirement advice, investment opportunities, c.v. services and counselling; and
• Establish the skills pool which is available to new investment; and
• Assess skills of workers to be laid off and assist employees with training and re-training identification of job opportunities, job skills requirements and opportunities for self-employment.