Cllr Guckian calls for immediate meeting with the Bank of America, the IDA, the Minister of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, Enterprise Ireland and Leitrim County Council.

It was with great shock, yesterday I read that a company spokesman said Bank of America was weighing its options regarding the UK and Ireland businesses with a view to shedding these international credit card business so they could be focus on their core operations in the United States. This decision has serious implications for the County of Leitrim and its surrounds.

From news reports, I believe the Government has written to Bank of America seeking clarification on their intentions and I would ask the Minister to participate in an immediate meeting with the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Leitrim County Council to safeguard the future of the jobs in Carrick on Shannon.

MBNA/Bank of America, since its arrival in 1997, apart from being the largest employer in the area, has played a significant role in both the social and economic fabric of not just County Leitrim but also the whole region. This announcement is extremely worrying and all parties, state agencies and government must meet immediately and work to ensure that a buyer for the credit card business in Carrick on Shannon, is secured.