FEARS WERE GROWING LAST NIGHT FOR THE FUTURE OF 1,000 HIGH-QUALITY JOBS AT CREDIT CARD COMPANY MBNA.

IT CAME AFTER BANK OF AMERICA- WHICH OWNS THE COMPANY -- REVEALED IT PLANNED TO PULL OUT OF ITS CREDIT CARD OPERATIONS IN IRELAND AND THE UK.

THE LEITRIM BASED WORKFORCE PROVIDES BOTH TELEPHONE AND ONLINE CUSTOMER SERVICE TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CREDIT CARD USERS IN THIS COUNTRY AND IN THE UK.

JOBS MINISTER RICHARD BRUTON ADMITTED HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE JOBS AND HAS CALLED ON THE IDA TO HELP FIND A BUYER FOR THE BUSINESS.

BANK OF AMERICA SPOKESPERSON JERRY DUBROWSKI SAYS NEGOTIATIONS TO FIND A BUYER ARE STILL AT AN EARLY STAGE.