Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

-----and that absence is worrying. That contrasts starkly with the kerfuffle and glamour around the formation of this project - involving the Taoiseach, the Minister at the time, Deputy Richard Bruton, Michael Flatley dancing around the place, the talk of foreign direct investment coming into the country, etc. - and the fact that this organisation will be shut down next Sunday. What position does the Government see the 78,000 connectors around the globe being left in? I will pre-empt the answer to my question by saying that I am a member of this committee because I am interested in the creation of real jobs. However, I have no way of knowing that the jobs that ConnectIreland or IDA Ireland bring to this country are well paid and that the workers who take them up are looked after. From time to time, companies attracted here by way of foreign direct investment are brought to my attention by those who work for them. I am interested in this committee discussing ways to save jobs at Bus Éireann and An Post and how we can attract nurses back to the country. We never seem to discuss those issues, however. We are always discussing foreign direct investment and where it is leading us. I regret that very much but nevertheless it is important that I ask what the Department believes will happen with the 78,000 global connectors affected by this contract being brought to an end. I will watch the proceedings later.