Pearson meets MLA's to discuss Nortel future

Enterprise Minister, Ian Pearson, has briefed East Antrim MLAs Sean Neeson, David Hilditch, George Dawson and Roy Beggs Jnr, and Carrickfergus Borough Council member, Alan Braithwaite on the future of Nortel Networks.

The five men also discussed the work of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and Invest NI in supporting economic activity in East Antrim following a number of recent economic setbacks in the area.

It follows last months news that Nortel Network's remaining manufacturing plants, including the Monkstown plant in Northern Ireland, could be sold thus threatening hundreds of manufacturing jobs.

Referring to the proposed sale by Nortel of parts of its manufacturing activities to Flextronics of Singapore, Mr Pearson said: “I’ve been in contact very recently with Nortel’s senior management in Canada and at Monkstown, to ensure the best possible outcome for Northern Ireland.

“It would be wrong for me to speculate on the discussions between Nortel and Flextronics, as the deal is not yet signed. Nortel is an important part of the Northern Ireland economy, both in terms of the technology being pioneered at Monkstown and of course, the direct and indirect employment provided.

“I am sure that Flextronics already appreciates the strong skills base at Monkstown, and if and when a sale is agreed, I will want to talk to Flextronics about the value of Monkstown’s technological capability and seek to, at the very least, preserve existing employment at the plant.”

Nortel Networks last month announced that the Canadian-owned company was in discussions with Flextronics to divest about $500 million worth of "manufacturing and inventory assets".

If the deal goes ahead, Singapore-based Flextronics would acquire most of Nortel's manufacturing capacity at plants in Northern Ireland, France, Brazil and Canada.

It is feared that up to 350 jobs at the Monkstown plant, which makes high-tech telecommunications equipment, may be affected.

(MB)