Job losses: Reverse the neglect of SME sector

The loss, within a matter of days, of more than 800 jobs at two US multinational companies highlights, once again, the nature of Ireland’s unbalanced economy and the urgent need to assist, promote and encourage indigenous industry.

It also reveals a worrying lack of vigilance by Government ministers with responsibility for protecting Irish jobs at multinationals located here. Minster for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys said she did not have any advance notice of the lay-offs at Novartis in Cork, while her junior minister, Pat Breen, said the decision by the US multinational Molex to close its Shannon base came as a “lightning shock” to him.