Executives discuss future of troubled IFI

The future of the partly State-owned fertiliser company, IFI, will be discussed today at a meeting between its executives and officials of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

This will be the first of a number of discussions about IFI, where more than 600 jobs are under threat because of falling fertiliser prices and increased production costs.

The Tánaiste has already said the Government will not invest any more money in the company without a strong viability plan.

IFI has fertiliser and ammonia manufacturing plants in Cork, Arklow and Belfast.

Unions fear that the company could collapse with the loss of hundreds of jobs unless the shareholders - the State and ICI - invest €15m.