The end of Waterford Crystal

The end of Waterford Crystal is a "national disaster" for Ireland, the mayor of the south-eastern Irish city said today.


Jack Walsh, Waterford's mayor, said the announcement that the company had collapsed had implications across the Republic.


"Waterford Crystal is a huge national brand and its importance goes beyond even the manufacturing plant in Waterford. It is not just the workers at Waterford Crystal that are affected by this. Nationally, it's the whole hospitality industry as well," he said.


Walsh claimed the end of Waterford Crystal in Ireland would have a negative impact on Irish tourism as well as adding to the Republic's rising unemployment. More than 300,000 tourists visit Waterford every year, with the crystal factory being one of the city's biggest attractions for foreign visitors, he said.


"Waterford Crystal is one of only a handful of iconic Irish brands and the gallery and the visitor centre at Kilbarry are among the most popular visitor attractions in the country. Given this, it is of major strategic importance that this company not be allowed to slip in to oblivion."


The mayor called on the Irish state to intervene and help shore up the company and the brand.


Unite, the trade union that represents workers at the Waterford plant, said this morning's announcement was "devastating".


Jimmy Kelly, Unite's regional general secretary for south-east Ireland, also called for Irish government intervention to keep Waterford crystal production in the country.


"Certainly, the brand is obviously one that has been built up since practically the foundation of the state and we see that as something that should be protected for the future to maintain as many jobs as possible in Waterford," he said.


Following a meeting with management at the plant this morning Kelly said Unite officials had been assured the company will be maintained as a going concern for as long as possible.


"The union will work closely with any prospective purchasers of the business so as to ensure we save the maximum number of quality jobs."


"The workers who built the brand that is Waterford Crystal have always worked alongside management to find solutions that would protect the long-term future of the company. Unite will fully support them in liaising with local and national politicians to save the plant and the brand.


"It is too important to the workers and their families, to the city of Waterford and to the nation as a whole, to let it disappear," Kelly added.