Unions to meet Harney over IFI closure

Unions representing workers at Irish Fertiliser Industries are due to meet the Tanaiste, Mary Harney, today to discuss the decision to put the semi-state company into liquidation.

Around 620 workers in Arklow, Cork and Belfast are due to lose their jobs following the decision and unions have said they will be demanding a fair redundancy deal. They will also be demanding an explanation from Ms Harney about why IFI could not be saved.

SIPTU's Noel Dowling said the workers were misled about a viability plan that they thought could prevent the closure.

"Last week, Fianna Fail politicians were falling over themselves to tell us that the Tanaiste was very pleased with the plan produced by the management and the workers and then, within a week, we read in the papers that the company is to be liquidated," he said.