The New Reality

The loss of 300 plus manufacturing jobs with NEC in a part of Co. Meath not exactly overflowing with same is a kick in the tender areas, of course, but while I applaud the local SIPTU trade union reps for maintaining a realistic, and fairly balanced attitude, I fail to see the benefit of a government minister trailing along on this trip.   The nitty-gritty of an electoral  fight in a multi-seat constituency may provide the answer but Demmo should remember that government policy in relation to the ITC area consists, more or less, of beefing up the research and development sector and trying to really push the lure of science as a second and third level subject for students.  Manufacturing in this economy, devoid of some unique added value,  is being outsourced and while some breast-beaters may mourn the loss of semi-skilled employment opportunities, companies like Motorola have survived and thrived since closing their plants in Ireland.  NEC may yet do the same and kick some high-grade R & D work back here in a few years but a company shackled to top dollar pay rates for transferable jobs won't last long.  Pity nobody whispered similar in the shell-like of ATGWU boss  Mick O'Reilly , before he appeared on Matt Cooper's radio show earlier this week requesting, nay demanding, pay rises in excess of CPI before he and his cohorts agree to any further social partnership *shudder* discussions.   Dude's lost it...in the course of a severly abridged and  less than hardball debate with Jim Power , our esteemed comrade referred to the  Friends First economist as "the IBEC representative".  Even Cooper scoffed.  Good short term memory there, Mikhail.