Reaction to Bombardier job cuts

Reaction to the news that almost 1,000 workers are to be made redundant at Bombardier's factories in Northern Ireland.

"All we as an executive can do is prepare those who have lost their jobs for new employment, to get out there and encourage investment in Northern Ireland.

We have to recognise the limitations that exist for a devolved administration. Unfortunately Bombardier will feel just as powerless as we do."

"So far this week we have had about 1,400 manufacturing jobs disappear.

That is a huge blow if you think of the amount of inward investment that is required to replace that volume of workers.

There are things we can do, we can't just sit back and do nothing. One thing we can do is try and prepare our workforce for the uptake when it comes."

"The Executive stands ready to provide substantial financial assistance to Bombardier for its C Series project, on which the market signs are encouraging.

"The Economic Development Forum (EDF), which I chair, is also working to set up a Manufacturing Sub-Group. This will look at how we can sustain viable businesses and employment.

"My department, through Invest NI, is in constant dialogue with businesses about the current difficulties and what can be done to alleviate them.

"We are determined to do everything that we can to help businesses here weather the worst of this economic storm."

"It is all right looking at banking and finance, but if a country does not have a manufacturing base, what does it have?

I am literally shellshocked myself, I am lurching from one disaster to the other."

"Following on from yesterday's news that 95 further jobs are to go at FG Wilson, together with major job losses at Visteon, the latest news from Bombardier is a complete disaster for Northern Ireland's manufacturing base.

It is shocking that well established companies are being so badly affected by the current economic climate."

"This is a serious blow to east Belfast and to the wider Belfast area.

Many families depend on these jobs at Bombardier to make ends meet and these redundancies will have a very negative impact on this area.

My thoughts are with the affected workers and their families at this tough time."

"This is a bitter blow for the workers at Bombardier.

"Sadly news of job cuts is becoming horribly familiar in this economic climate.

"People losing their jobs need real help now from this government."

"My heart goes out to all the families who will be affected by these redundancies.

"There have been such high hopes for Bombardier surviving the global economic crisis."

"This has been a tough week for the manufacturing industry and a tough week for east Belfast - a difficult week in the midst of a difficult recession.

"Shorts Bombardier is synonymous with east Belfast, with local men and women the backbone of their workforce - the effects of these job losses will be felt throughout east Belfast and Northern Ireland as a whole."

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