Cabinet is ‘split’ over €39m Crystal request
Not surprisingly divisions have reportedly emerged among the cabinet over Waterford Wedgwood’s request for the Government to guarantee loans of €39m designed to secure 550 jobs at the flagship Crystal plant and visitor centre in Kilbarry.
Several senior ministers are said to be opposed to the idea of the State aiding a private company, though apparently there’s “huge pressure” to approve Tony O’Reilly’s application which has been presented to cabinet members in memo form.
In the Dáil last week Deputy Frank Feighan asked Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin whether a decision was made and if so what criteria were used, while Labour’s Joan Burton asked whether such a move would be consistent with EU State aid legislation.
All the Minister would say is in reply was: “This matter is under consideration by Government and I cannot comment further. The issue of compliance with State aid rules will be pursued with the European Commission, if necessary.”
[Jamie O'Keeffe]