One hundred and 13 jobs will be lost with the closure on August 1st of Warners' lingerie factory in Belmullet, Co Mayo. Junior Minister Mr Eamon O Cuiv is due to meet workers later today before a public meeting in Geesala, where the recent closure of the Norsk Hydro plant is on the agenda. A task force, chaired by Udaras na Gaeltachta, is to be set up by the Minister.
Mr Chris Birrane, a Warners' employee, said the workforce was shocked when told of the impending closure. "We all have mortgages, cars and direct debits going out every month. This is a bombshell."
Mr Gerry Coyle (FG), a county councillor for the area, said the notion of a task force was "nonsense". He added that people were still waiting for a task force following the closure of Norsk Hydro last year.
Ms Beverley Cooper-Flynn (FF) said decentralisation to the Erris region would bring guaranteed jobs. In the Dail last Friday Mr Michael Ring (FG) called for the abolition of Udaras, saying the State company was not performing in north Mayo.