SILENCE ON EBAY ‘MOVE’
Could tech jobs be moved to Sligo as firm seeks bigger site?
CONCERNS have been raised by a Louth politician that the IDA could facilitate a move by US online retailer eBay from Dundalk to Sligo as the company seeks an alternative site to its current location at the Xerox Technology Park.
Fine Gael TD Peter Fitzpatrick says he’s worried that the IDA could offer eBay, which employs hundreds of people at the Dublin Road site, alternative accommodation in Sligo as the company looks to move from the offices it shares with PayPal, which wants to grow its operation in Dundalk and needs the space occupied by the auction site company.
The IDA today remained silent about the alle- gation and, in response to queries from the Argus, said: ‘IDA does not comment on speculation in relation to client companies’ and ‘IDA Ireland has no comment to make on this. Any questions relating to the company should be addressed to their press office’.
The Argus understands that eBay is looking at alternative accommodation in the Dundalk area after two or three sites were brought to their attention.
Deputy Fitzpatrick said: ‘I am concerned if this is happening with the IDA. I hope they are not poaching business in this area. I hope I am wrong about this. ‘We have worked so hard to get eBay here and we really want them to stay’.
MOVES are underway today to ensure that American online giant eBay, which employs around 300 people at the Xerox Technology Park in Dundalk, finds alternative office accommodation in the town after concerns were raised by a government politician that the IDA were poised to offer the company a site in Sligo.
Peter Fitzpatrick said he first approached Jobs Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor around two months ago after he discovered that eBay, which has been in Dundalk for more than ten years, were seeking to move from the Dublin Road site they share with PayPal after the online finance company revealed they were to recruit more staff and needed the additional space.
He said he’s worried that the IDA could offer eBay, which employs hundreds of people at the Dublin Road site, alternative accommodation in Sligo.
The IDA has remained silent about the allegation and, in response to queries from the Argus, said: ‘IDA does not comment on speculation in relation to client companies’ and ‘IDA Ireland has no comment to make on this. Any questions relating to the company should be addressed to their press office’.
The Argus understands that eBay are looking at alternative accommodation in the Dundalk area after two or three sites were brought to their attention. Mr Fitzpatrick said: ‘I am concerned if this is happening with the IDA. I hope they are not poaching business in this area. I hope I am wrong about this.
‘We have worked so hard to get eBay here and we really want them to stay’.
Mr Fitzpatrick revealed how eBay are ‘ looking at sites in Dundalk as we speak’ and he believed there were ‘ two or three’ that could be suitable.
He said: ‘I have been in regular contact with Minister Mitchell O’Connor about this matter and she has assured me that her department is working very closely with eBay to find alternative premises in the town.
‘I have also been in contact with eBay and I’m looking forward to meeting management in the near future to discuss their plans.
‘I want to reassure workers at eBay and the people of Dundalk that intensive efforts are underway to secure the future of eBay in Dundalk.
‘Now is not the time for scaremongering, or political point-scoring, which is only adding to the stress and worry of the workers. I will leave no stone unturned in my efforts to help eBay locate an alternative premises in Dundalk and secure the future of the workers’.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fail TD Declan Breathnach says clarity around the issue is needed immediately and has called on the Minister Mitchell O’Connor to clarify if she is aware of any possible job losses at eBay’s campus in Dundalk.
Mr Breathnach said: ‘ My office has been inundated with calls from people throughout the day regarding the future of eBay’s operations in Dundalk.
‘ There is a worrying rumour doing the rounds that eBay is set to close its operation in Louth entirely and move the jobs elsewhere.
‘I’ve been in contact with management at eBay to clarify the situation. Unfortunately I’ve been met by a wall of silence which is worrying.
‘I’m calling on Minister Mitchell O’Connor, along with management at eBay, to make a statement outlining the future of eBay’s operations in Dundalk. The current level of uncertainty for staff and their families is totally unacceptable and they need urgently need reassurance’.