Coughlan urged to meet Dell workers

TÁNAISTE Mary Coughlan has been urged to proceed with plans to travel to Limerick and hold talks to deal with the fallout from the Dell decision to shed 1,900 jobs in the city.

Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins also wants her to meet with Dell workers.

Dell sources have indicated the company feels that a visit by the Tánaiste to meet with workers would not be helpful given the media attention such a visit would attract.

Workers at Dell have been warned by management not to talk with media. However, FF public representatives in Limerick have made it clear to Ms Coughlan that she should come and get a briefing on the ground and meet with workers.

“I feel very strongly that the Tánaiste should come to Limerick in the next few days to hear from workers who are to lose their jobs and from all the different agencies who will help the task force which is being set up,” said Mr Collins.

Sources at Dell have indicated the company is not enthusiastic about a high-profile ministerial visit to the Raheen plant.

However, the Tánaiste may have to press ahead with such a visit, given the huge political implications of her doing otherwise

It has also emerged that Mike Cannon, the man brought in by Michael Dell to slash costs, is to leave the company in the next few months with a $12 million (€8.9m) golden handshake.