Bruton pushed cabinet to save Irish Steel

Major efforts were made by the State to avert the closure of the Irish Steel plant at Haulbowline, Co Cork, during 1983.

Within weeks of taking office, then minister for industry and energy John Bruton sought government approval in February to allow the company continue to operate until the end of 1983 to ascertain whether the steelworks was still viable.

Bruton asked for £5m immediately to help Irish Steel overcome a cash crisis as well as a further investment of about £20m to meet its operating costs for the year.