Mary Harney, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment today (Monday 1st March, 1999) expressed her "very great disappointment" at the announcement by Arlington Ltd that they are to close their Portarlington facility with the loss of 320 jobs.

The Tánaiste said that "Arlington has over the last 25 years been a major employer providing high quality employment in the Portarlington area. Today's announcement comes as a great shock both to its employees and to the people of Portarlington."

The Tánaiste said she had ordered "an immediate response to the company's announcement with the establishment of a Task Force which will include IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, FAS, Social Partners and Local Interests."

The Tánaiste will visit Portarlington tomorrow and meet with workers, SIPTU, management and other interested parties from the area. During her visit the Tánaiste will announce details of the Task Force including its membership and term of reference.

Arlington Ltd, part of the Avon Products Inc., is engaged in the manufacture of costume jewellery and soap. The decision to close the Irish Plant was taken as part of a worldwide re-organisation due to a decline in sales of costume jewellery which has also led to the closure of two other facilities in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.