What they said: Mitchell O’Connor v her spokeswoman
What the jobs minister said immediately after the HP announcement:
‘My officials and I, together with the IDA, have had extensive discussions with the company in an effort to avert these job losses. I note with regret that the redundancies are arising on account of the company’s global efficiency strategy to accelerate their business transformation. ‘The transfer of work will be phased over 2017, with planned completion by February 2018.’
What the minister’s spokeswoman said to the MoS:
‘Minister Mitchell O’Connor spoke with senior management in the company for the first time last week. She was also in regular contact with IDA Ireland, who were engaged in intensive efforts to avert the decision by HP Inc. to reduce its operational presence in Ireland.’