Bishop Colm O’Reilly calls for prayers for MBNA staff and their families

18 Aug 2011

PRESS RELEASE

17 August 2011

Bishop Colm O’Reilly calls for prayers for MBNA staff and their families

Bishop Colm O’Reilly, Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, released the following statement in response to the news of up to 1,000 job losses at MBNA.

“I am deeply saddened to hear the news today that MBNA may lose up to 1,000 jobs. This is a severe blow to the MBNA employees in Carrick-on-Shannon, their families and the local economy.  During these difficult times I am praying for everybody and especially those whose livelihoods are directly affected by this decision.

“I am asking that special prayers be said at Masses throughout the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois this weekend.  I ask that prayers be said for the intentions of the employees and also for the viability of their jobs.

“I ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr Richard Bruton TD, and relevant State agencies, to prioritise Leitrim in terms of sustaining employment opportunities for this skilled workforce in the county and surrounding areas.

“This shocking announcement not only directly affects MBNA workers but, in addition, it jeopardises thousands of ancillary jobs which have been created in the retail trade and elsewhere, since the 1990s, which rely for survival on the pay spend of the workers.

“The economic progress experienced over the last decade in Leitrim is in no small part due to MBNA.  It is incumbent on public representatives to continue to seek a commitment from government to support these workers by every means possible.  With our economy now in recession our community needs such support today more than ever.  It would be difficult to overstate the depth of the impact of the loss of a major source of employment like MBNA in a rural area weak in any comparable alternatives.”

ENDS

Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678