Job losses in Ireland

A string of recent closures of factories in Ireland has the Irish textile industry anxious and looking to the government for intervention.

Recent closures include Ulster Weavers, The Armagh facotryand Elastic Knitting at Galgrom in Northern Ireland. 65 jobs were lost at Elastic Knitting, which makes lingerie and sportswear. Ulster, which had to close two of the four plants, suffered 80 job losses. Meanwhile the Armagh factory's closure will cause 38 job losses.

Ballymena DUP councillor Jim Alexander was "saddened" by the latest job losses. "I am angry that the once thriving textile industry has all but evaporated and that little effort was made by the government to retain it," he said.

Ulster Weavers expect futher job cuts at the company's head office near Banbridge in County Down. The closures reflect the inability or unwillingness to fight the competition from outside. People are now calling for the government and private sector to step up to the plate.