A permanent liquidator was appointed to the jewellery manufacturer, Andersen Ireland Ltd, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, at the High Court on Monday (21st October). SIPTU Organiser, Denis Gormalley, said: “Almost half of the workforce is currently laid off as the process of permanently winding down the company begins. SIPTU representatives have been in negotiations with the provisional liquidator, who has now been made permanent, since his appointment last month on a collective redundancy agreement for our members who face losing their jobs.” SIPTU has criticised the decision last month of the owners of Andersen Ireland Ltd to seek the liquidation of the company. Denis Gormalley, said: “This act by the company eliminated the possibility of finding new owners for the business and the possibility of maintaining over 160 jobs. Instead we have had to rely on all the stakeholders including the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to seek out new potential owners. While our members appreciate theses efforts they do not compensate for losing their jobs, many after decades of service." SIPTU has also called on the Government to appoint a jobs taskforce to deal with the growing unemployment crisis in the Limerick area.