Guirke tells Dail Tara Mines issue has now reached ‘critical point’

The Government is committed to providing all possible assistance to facilitate a resumption of operations at Tara Mines, Minister Darragh O'Brien told the Dail last week.

He made the comments in response to Deputy Johnny Guirke who asked the government to talk to all relevant stakeholders to make any supports provided contingent on Tara Mines committing to an early and firm reopening date, while maintaining the terms and conditions of the workers.

Deputy Guirke told the Dail the situation at Tara Mines had reached a critical point.

“The mine has been suspended since July of last year and the prospects of reopening remain uncertain. The unions are not ruling out industrial action. The management released plans to the media without first consulting with the unions or the workers. SIPTU has accused the company of trying to rip up negotiated agreements under a new rescue plan. Unite, one of the unions representing the workers at Tara Mines, has detailed the challenges faced by the workers and the broader implications for the local economy.

“Immediate action is necessary to safeguard the livelihoods of the workers and to secure the future of Tara Mines. The concerns that have been outlined by the unions highlight the need for Government intervention to ensure the highly skilled jobs at Tara Mines are preserved and that the terms and conditions of the workers are maintained. I ask that the Government talk to all relevant stakeholders to make any supports provided contingent on Tara Mines committing to an early and firm reopening date while maintaining the terms and conditions of the workers, including any voluntary reduction package. Workers will tell you that better terms and conditions were offered 30 years ago,” he said. Minister O'Brien said this was a matter that had been raised directly at Government level by the Minister Thomas Byrne, and by Senator Shane Cassells.

“As the Deputy will know, Enterprise Ireland is liaising with the company on energy and productivity supports that could assist with a sustainable reopening.

“The Minister, Deputy Coveney, and officials from his Department will continue to engage closely, as I assure the Deputy they have been doing, with both management and unions to support ongoing efforts to achieve the accelerated resumption of operations.

“I have also read of workers' concerns about potential pay freezes and so on. The Government is committed. These are strategically very important jobs for our country. There are skilled workers there.

“My colleague, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, has had a number of meetings with the management of the Boliden group and with trade unions representing workers to discuss the issues that impact on the potential reopening and such meetings will continue,” he said.