THE Progressive Democrat leader, Ms Mary Harney, joined the Fianna Fail deputy leader, Ms Mary O'Rourke, in an appeal to the Minister for Enterprise and Employment to intervene in an industrial dispute at Airmotive, the west Dublin air maintenance plant.

Ms O'Rourke, in an adjournment debate, said that unless steps were taken immediately the area was facing its second industrial relations disaster following the Packard closure announcement earlier in the week.

Ms Harney said the dispute could force closure of the plant and the loss of 433 jobs. It centred on a 10 per cent pay claim by 83 craftworkers and inspectors who were members of three unions. She appealed to the Minister to arrange for one further independent effort to solve it.

The Minister, Mr Bruton, said he did not think it would be appropriate for him to intervene personally.