Govt Criticised Over Selling of SR Technics

The Irish government is facing stern criticism over the selling of assets by the troubled SR Technics.

Workers union SIPTU has said today the sell-off of the firm's landing gear and power equipment will make it much harder to save the rest of its operations at Dublin airport.

Speaking today, SIPTU Branch Organiser Pat Ward has accused the Government of "paralysis and lack of political will".

"Any Government with an ounce of political will and morsel of business acumen would have ensured that SR Technics was not allowed to waltz away from its Dublin plant without having to address the €26 million pensions deficit, the €20 million leaseback arrangement with the Dublin Airport Authority or the asset stripping operation now taking place with regard to the sale of the auxiliary power unit and landing gear equipment," he said.

Meanwhile Fine Gael's James Reilly has accused the Government of being "led on a merry dance" by the company.

"SR Technics was never going to allow its Dublin facility to survive and compete with its Zurich operation.

"This whole affair has been a catalogue of Government errors and a failure to act effectively from the start," the Fine Gael TD said.

Tanaiste Mary Coughlan, however, has told the Dail that the Government's priority was now to salvage as much of the operation as possible.

(DW/BMcC)