The Imperial Tobacco factory in Mullignar is set to close later this year.

Task force needed to help Imperial Tobacco staff

 A task force has to be formed immediately to find alternative employment for the 87 workers from the Imperial Tobacco factory who are set to lose their jobs.

That's the message from the Fianna Fail spokesperson on Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Senator Aidan Davitt.

Speaking after today's announcement that the majority of the factory's staff will be out of a job in October when Imperial Tobacco closes its manufacturing facility in the town, Senator Davitt described the announcement as a “dark day for Mullingar”.

“It's imperative that something is done to find alternative employment for these employees, many of who have been working there for years.”

Deputy Willie Penrose has also expressed his shock and disappointment at the news.

“This was a factory where employment was much sought after, and indeed many of the original families who worked there had siblings and family members working there since it opened almost 50 years ago.

“It helped played a pivotal role in the economy of Mullingar, and notwithstanding that all its products were manufactured for export, it served through the various recessions and downturns.

“Through the years, it always had a sound industrial relations environment, and this shock proposal to close down this manufacturing facility is a huge blow to the 87 employees, their families and of course the economic activity in Mullingar.

In a statement issued earlier today, Imperial Tobacco said that the planned closure is a result of the upcoming EU wide introduction of a 30g minimum pack size for rolling tobacco products from May 2016.

This has, the firm says, directly led to the requirement to decommission a number of production lines in the Mullingar factory. 

Imperial Tobacco and its employees will now enter into a 30 day consultation process. 

“Any job losses are regrettable and we will continue to support our employees and ensure that they are treated in a fair and responsible manner,” said the firm's operation director Ian King.