Taniaste Welcomes Mobile Phone Jobs

The Taniaste has welcomed an announcement by mobile phone operator 3 that it is opening 28 new stores and creating 90 new retail jobs.

The company is expected to invest nearly €5 million in Ireland with eight "own stores" and 20 independently-owned operations under the 3 brand.

Welcoming the announcement, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Mary Coughlan said: "90 new jobs and this major retail investment by 3 is welcome news for consumers and for the locations benefitting from more choice on their shopping streets. 3 has a significant role to play in terms of the quality service and competition it offers to the Irish consumer in the retail mobile market.

"The Government remains fully committed to the rollout of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) to which it has committed almost €80million to facilitate much greater access to this vital tool for domestic and commercial users alike."

Speaking at the announcement yesterday, Robert Finnegan, chief executive of 3 said: "We’re delighted to announce our major retail expansion following another successful year for 3. In 2009, we saw 40% growth in our customer base and our expansion plans reflect our ambition to further strengthen our position in the Irish market over the next few years."

However, the news comes in the shadow of rival phone provider O2 announcing that around 50 jobs are to go as part of a cost cutting plan.

Employees at the company's offices in Dublin and Limerick were told about the planned job losses in meetings with management Monday.

The company said the redundancies will be compulsory and are as a result of a "review of structures".

The company employs 1,300 people in Ireland and the company says the redundancies will be in all areas, except retail and customer care.

It will now enter into a process of consultation with staff but expects the redundancies to take effect from late March or early April.

(DW/GK)