Government denies asking pharma giant to delay job losses until after polls

The Government has denied it asked a pharmaceutical giant which announced 200 job losses yesterday to delay the news until after the local elections.

However, it admitted yesterday it knew for “several months” that cuts were looming at Bausch + Lomb in Waterford, and said it was “engaging” with the company to try and save as many jobs as possible.

“The company’s final decision was communicated to DJEI and IDA yesterday (Wednesday),” a spokesperson for the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation said. “There is no question of the announcement being delayed.”