Minister to tackle jobs crisis urged

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern should appoint a dedicated junior minister for employment in the north-west, SIPTU president Jack O’Connor urged last night.

Following the closure of Fruit of the Loom’s factories in Donegal and Derry with the loss of 650 jobs, Mr O’Connor said such a minister would allow a co-ordinated approach to employment creation from governments on both sides of the Border. “Such a minister could spearhead a cross-border jobs initiative with an integrated approach by the IDA, the IDB and Enterprise Ireland,” he said.

Pointing out that more than 1,600 jobs have been lost in the north-west region, Mr O’Connor said InterTradeIreland - a cross-border body established by the Good Friday Agreement - should move to address the economic crisis in the region.