The global medical technology firm informed staff yesterday that the plant will close on a 2 phase basis over the next 30 months.
A meeting has been arranged for today between local TDs and the Minister of Enterprise Peter Burke to discuss the closure of Becton Dickinson.
The global medical technology firm informed staff yesterday that the plant will close on a 2 phase basis over the next 30 months.
170 jobs will be lost come September of 2026 and local Labour TD Ged Nash wants those jobs to be fought for.
“I think IDA cannot concede a single job or accept that a single job would be lost in BD at this point in time.
“That being said, I don’t want to give anybody false hope. So what does the future then look like? Clearly BD appear to have made their minds up.
We need to challenge that. We’ve been meeting this afternoon that I organised with senior IDA officials and the Minister for Enterprise, Peter Bourke,other local TDs as I understand it have been invited to that too. And the question moves to what should government do next in relation to foreign direct investment in Drogheda?”
Local Sinn Féin TD Imelda Munster says she and her party colleague Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú discussed the issue with Minister Peter Burke last night:
It’s devastating news, you know, they’re going to lose their jobs and very worrying time for their family. Myself and my colleague Rory O’Rourke, whospoke with the Minister last night, the Minister said he’s looking to meet with the, hoping to meet with the Chief Executives Company in New York next week.
He’s also looking to meet with Drogheda Chamber of Commerce and all the stakeholders in the next few weeks.
SIPTU meanwhile says it won’t accept anything less than concentrated and swift Government intervention.
SIPTU Manufacturing Divisional Organiser, Neil McGowan says they want to encourage BD to stay in Drogheda,
“We are starting the consultation process today, so we are still very early in the process, but our first focus will be on dealing with the employer to ensure that they continue to operate in Drogheda. As you said, 60 years anniversary this year. Failing that, I think this is where government and the IDA have a significant role to play in both working with us to try and persuade BD to maintain its operation in Drogheda, and if that is not possible, todo everything, and I mean everything within their power, to ensure that a buyer is armed for the site.”