Negotiations regarding the sale of MBNA have continued to advance in recent weeks, Denis Naughten has been informed by the Minister for Jobs.
Denis Naughten had questioned Minister Richard Bruton over Government steps to secure the 740 jobs with MBNA in Carrick-on-Shannon.
“The Minister has informed me that negotiations regarding the sale of Bank of America’s Irish and UK credit card business is on-going and have attracted considerable interest. He has also indicated that the Irish and UK operations are likely to be sold separately,” stated Denis Naughten.
“These jobs are of huge importance not alone to the staff but also to the town of Carrick-on-Shannon and the surrounding area and all efforts must be made to safeguard employment and for the smooth transfer of operations to a new owner.”
DAIL QUESTION NO. 221
To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he is taking to secure jobs at a location (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Denis Naughten.
* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 17th January, 2012.
the MBNA site in Carrick on Shannon
Ref No:2315/12
R E P L Y
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Mr. Bruton)
As stated previously, my priority is that any decision taken by Bank of America will have minimal impact on employees at the Carrick on Shannon operation and ensure that jobs are maintained at the facility. The process regarding the sale of Bank of America’s Irish and UK credit card businesses is ongoing.
There is considerable interest in both the MBNA Ireland portfolio and the MBNA UK portfolio, which will almost certainly be sold separately. Negotiations regarding the sale of the MBNA Ireland portfolio have continued to advance in recent weeks.
IDA has met the relevant parties, is monitoring the situation closely and is providing relevant input into the process as it moves forward. IDA is in regular contact with local Bank of America management in Carrick on Shannon and Dublin and at corporate level to monitor developments.
Separate to the above, IDA has been and continues to market Carrick on Shannon and the Bank of America MBNA capability there to other potential investors, should the above negotiations fail to lead to a positive outcome.
This has included creating a detailed profile/factfile in conjunction with Bank of America MBNA management to highlight the skillset, experience and facility in Carrick on Shannon. This profile is being used by IDA’s international network of offices to market both the centre itself and the location.