Fears Medtronic may move operations out of Ireland, putting 175 jobs at risk

Up to 175 jobs are under threat at a medical devices company in Cherrywood business park in Dublin.

Staff at Medtronic were told yesterday the customer care centre there could shut by next June.

A review of the firm after a major merger prompted a potential move of its Irish operations to other European countries, but management say they are open to discussions with workers.

American firm Medtronic paid almost $50bn to buy Dublin-based surgical supplies group Covidien last year.

Medtronic Inc. became Ireland’s largest company when it started trading on the New York Stock Exchange in January, but Ian Mc Ardle of the CWU says Irish workers are now left with many questions about their future.

He said: "It ranges from 'Why us?' - it's very close to Christmas, this is a very difficult time for anyone in any situation to be dealing with this kind of news - right through the gamut of emotions to 'Are there other options within the organisation where we can be deployed if we are being made redundant on a compulsory basis?'.

"That is what's happening here and the workers are wondering what kind of package will the company offer."