FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT today that 400 jobs are at risk due to Lufthansa Technik considering closure, Fianna Fáil said it is time the government intervened.
The firm has a jet engine overhaul facility at Rathcoole in Dublin which employs 400 people. Today Lufthansa said it will consult with employee representatives and begin immediate negotiations with trade unions.
Aviation sector
Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Jobs Dara Calleary said the Irish aviation sector cannot afford to lose 400 jobs and said the government “has a duty to intervene and explore all options for preserving the future of aircraft maintenance in Ireland”.
Calleary said that just yesterday, Enda Kenny was announcing hundreds of new airline jobs with Michael O’Leary as a result of the Ryanair expansion.
“At a time when the airline industry in Ireland is growing significantly, it’s difficult to understand how Dublin can be at risk of losing its position as a base for aircraft maintenance,” he said.
He added:
I am asking the Taoiseach and the Jobs Minister Richard Bruton to put the same energy into saving Irish jobs at Lufthansa Technik as they put into jobs announcements.This is not just about one company leaving the Irish market – it’s about the risk that Ireland could lose its aircraft maintenance sector entirely, despite the fact that we have a strong skills base here.
He concluded that contact should be made with management immediately and that every support should be given to the workers.
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