MORE private sector involvement in the Government task force set up to deal with the Tallaght jobs crisis was demanded by the PD leader.

"While welcoming the task force, it is not in itself sufficient," Ms Mary Harney said. Ms Harney, who represents the area, appealed to her constituency colleague, the Minister for Equality and Law Reform, Mr Taylor, not to "needlessly and falsely" raise the hopes of Packard workers.

The Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, said more than half of the task force members, including the chairman, were from the private sector.

Replying to the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, the Taoiseach confirmed that an inter departmental committee monitored the difficulties of firms. However, the problem in Packard related to problems inherent in the market place. "I think it is important that we should be realistic about what actually happened."