Minister Meets Arklow Merck Staff as Closure Talks Continue

Minister Peter Burke visited the Merck site in Arklow to meet staff and union representatives amid the planned closure. He confirmed ongoing discussions between management and the union over the next 30 days and announced a task force to explore future options for the site.

The Minister of Enterprise and Employment, Peter Burke, visited Arklow yesterday, meeting with staff and a union representative from the Merck site.

Minister Burke said it was important to hear directly about the impact of the site’s impending closure.

He confirmed that discussions between management and the union will continue over the next 30 days, as previously agreed.

The Minister also announced plans to reach out to all stakeholders and establish a task force to explore possible options for the site’s future.

Fine Gael TD For Wicklow Wexford Brian Brennan says the consequences of closure cannot be greater for employees:

''Yes, the Minister of Enterprise and Employment, Minister Peter Burke visited Arklow yesterday and met with a number of staff and a union rep from the Merck site.

I felt it was important that the Minister heard first hand the consequences of this closure.

It was agreed that we'd let the engagement between the management and the union take place over the next 30 days as agreed, but also we would reach out to all stakeholders and set up a task force to see what are the options going forward.''

Fianna Fail Wicklow Wexford Malcolm Byrne raised with the Taoiseach in the Dáil the need for a strategy to ensure workers are supported and a new enterprise found in advance of when Merck is scheduled to leave Arklow in 2028.